Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) said this week he has talked with President Trump about nominating a new defense secretary to succeed Jim Mattis, voicing concern that acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan lacks the "humility" of his predecessor and is unable to muster the full force of his office because of his "temporary" status. Trump, meanwhile, has said he likes having cabinet officials serve in acting roles because it gives him "flexibility" and has praised Shanahan, fueling speculation he could stay on as an acting official indefinitely.
展开▼
