By Geoff Earle, Deputy U.s. Political Editor For Dailymail.com
Published: 18:04 BST, 18 June 2019 | Updated: 18:19 BST, 18 June 2019
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President Donald Trump announced he is pulling the nomination of Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan – following revelations about years-old domestic violence claims involving Shanahan and his former wife.
'Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who has done a wonderful job, has decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family,' Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday.
'I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!' the president wrote.
Trump's tweet followed revelations that federal authorities are investigating a nine-year old domestic violence claim against Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, whose formal nomination to the post has been delayed for more than a month.
President Donald Trump has decided not to nominate Patrick Shanahan as Defense Secretary
The accusation stems from an incident where Shanahan's wife was charged following a drunken brawl that ended up on the sidewalk outside their family home – although the charges were later dropped.
Trump's move leaves the Pentagon with yet another 'acting' head, as the nation continues to wage wars abroad amid new tensions with Iran.
Shanahan, a former Boeing executive who has been serving in his position on an acting basis without Senate confirmation, got in a heated
