President-elect Trump has announced several nominees for key defense posts including deputy defense secretary and Pentagon acquisition chief.
For deputy defense secretary Trump has chosen financier Stephen Feinberg, co-founder of Cerberus Capital and former chairman of the presidential intelligence advisory board. Feinberg has not previously worked in the Pentagon.
Trump has also selected Michael Duffey to be under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment. Duffey previously served as in the Office of Management and Budget in Trump’s first administration, where he became involved in the administration’s decision to halt $250 million in aid to Ukraine. The aid freeze followed a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which Trump asked him to investigate Joe Biden, who at the time was campaigning for president. Trump was later impeached over the incident.
“Mike will drive change at the Pentagon and, as a staunch proponent of an America First approach to our National Defense, will work to revitalize our Defense Industrial Base, and rebuild our Military,” Trump said in a statement.
The president-elect has also selected Elbridge Colby to serve as under secretary of defense for policy. Colby served in the Pentagon policy shop during Trump’s previous administration.
Additionally, Trump has tapped former Uber executive Emil Michael to serve as under secretary of defense for research and engineering. Michael previously served as special assistant to the defense secretary in Trump’s first administration.
“Emil will ensure that our Military has the most technologically sophisticated weapons in the World, while saving A LOT of money for our Taxpayers,” Trump said.
Keith Bass has been selected to serve as assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and Joe Kasper has also been selected to be chief of staff for the defense secretary.
Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, is slated to have a nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 14.