Trump taps Tata to become next DOD policy chief

President Trump has officially nominated retired Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to serve as the next under secretary of defense for policy.

He would succeed John Rood, whom Trump pushed out of the job in February.

Tata, a Fox News regular, currently serves as a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

He was previously president and CEO of his own consulting group and chief growth officer of Air Data Solutions, according to the White House. Tata also previously served as president of KaylaTek, a startup technology company.

Tata also served as transportation secretary for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, as well as superintendent of Wake County Public Schools and as chief operating officer of Washington, DC Public Schools.

His Army service includes stints as deputy director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, deputy commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division and Joint Task Force-76 in Afghanistan, and executive officer to the vice chief of staff of the Army.

But Tata may face an uphill confirmation process, even though the GOP controls the Senate.

Tata, the recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, retired from military service in 2008 after the Army inspector general found he had committed adultery earlier in his career, according to an investigation by North Carolina's News & Observer, which unearthed allegations from his divorce proceedings that could complicate his nomination.

Additionally, the Senate Armed Services Committee, which must vet Tata and advance his nomination to the full Senate for confirmation, is unlikely to move quickly as lawmakers and staff are focused on passing the fiscal year 2021 defense authorization bill.

The outbreak of COVID-19 could further complicate matters, as well as the fact the Senate calendar is shorter this year because of November elections.