Trump's Choice For US Defence Secretary Pulls Out
Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced his choice for Defence Secretary has withdrawn, shaking up the Pentagon at a time of rising Middle East tensions.
He tweeted that Patrick Shanahan has pulled out of consideration "so that he can devote more time to his family".
Shanahan, who will be replaced by Army Secretary Mark Esper, had not yet been nominated for the cabinet post.
It comes as Shanahan publicly addressed allegations of domestic violence.
Trump told reporters Shanahan submitted his withdrawal on Tuesday morning, the BBC reported.
"I didn't ask him to withdraw, but he walked in this morning and said it was going to be a rough time for him," Trump said, adding that he first heard of the "unfortunate" allegations on Monday.
Earlier on Tuesday, USA Today reported the FBI was investigating a 2010 incident in which Shanahan and his ex-wife accused each other of assault.
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