Senate Republicans have a clear message for President Donald Trump: do not fire Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
GOP senators reaffirmed their support for Esper Wednesday, hours after he broke with the president on sending in active-duty troops to quell unrest nationwide, after the killing of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer.
“He’s doing a good job,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who spoke to the president recently and doesn’t think Esper’s job is on the line. “There’s no reason to let him go. That’s all just a bunch of chatter. I have confidence in Secretary Esper.”
“He should be allowed to express his opinion and his advice should be heeded,” concurred Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). “And I hope he would stay on. I like him. We’ve got enough vacancies.”
Join the conversation as a VIP Member