Salesses named acting SECDEF

Robert Salesses has been named acting defense secretary while President Trump awaits the Senate confirmation of nominee Pete Hegseth.

Salesses, a retired Marine Corps officer, is currently deputy director of Washington Headquarters Services. He previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for defense continuity and mission assurance among a host of other Pentagon jobs.

Meanwhile, Trump has named Mark Averill acting Army secretary, Terrence Emmert as acting Navy secretary and Gary Ashworth as acting Air Force secretary. All are members of the senior executive service.