Pentagon gets new Acting Secretary

Washington: The US Secretary of the Navy Richard V Spencer is now the country's Acting Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon announced.

The move follows the formal nomination of Dr Mark T Esper to head the Department of Defense on a permanent basis.

Spencer is the third acting secretary to take on the role this year.

Esper had been acting head of the department since the resignation of his predecessor Patrick A Shanahan last month. The department has been without a permanent secretary since the resignation of Jim Mattis in December 2018.

In a statement, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said on Monday, "At 3:04 pm today, the Senate received the president's formal nomination of Dr Mark T Esper to be Secretary of Defense. At that time, Esper ceased to serve as acting secretary of defense and is solely serving as Secretary of the Army.

"As a result, as prescribed in Executive Order 13533, "Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Defense," March 1, 2010, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer became Acting Secretary of Defense. As such, Secretary Spencer has the full authority and responsibility of the Secretary of Defense," Hoffman added.

Eric Chewning, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, told members of the press, "We will not presume confirmation, and it is the prerogative of the Senate to take as long as they think is necessary to examine and confirm the nominee. Secretary Spencer's prepared to remain in the role until there is a Senate-confirmed Secretary of Defense."

In a letter to all military personnel and department released after assuming his duties, Spencer wrote, "While my time in this role is anticipated to be brief, I am fully prepared and committed to serve as Acting Secretary of Defense, and I will provide continuity in the leadership of the department.

"Our allies and partners can rest assured that the Department of Defense remains ready to respond to meet our commitments around the globe in support of our common goals."