BREAKING NEWS: Trump FIRES acting Pentagon secretary Patrick Shanahan after defense chief revealed to have been accused of hitting wife in drunken row but claimed he was the victim President Trump said Patrick Shanahan decided not to go forward with confirmation Trump had yet to send the formal nomination of Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan to the Senate Both Shanahan and wife Kimblerly told authorities the other had hit them in a dispute in 2010 The counter claims are described in years of divorce filings Trump announced the nomination May 9 The holdup was revealed amid increased tensions with Iran as the U.S. sends more troops to the region 2010 incident in Seattle ended up with the couple on front lawn of their home after police were called after both were drinking 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 19 Viewcomments 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 dispute with his former wife that turned violent, according to a police report and a prolonged divorce battle in court. The alleged domestic violence took place in August, 2010, and ended up outside the then-couple's Seattle home after police were called. According to a police report on the incident, Patrick Shanahan was seated on a sidewalk outside the couple's home and had a black eye and a bloody nose after the incident. Kimberly 'appeared to be intoxicated,' according to the officer. When he asked her for a description of what hapenned that night, she repeatedly kept 'referring to the past,' according to the officer. Trump fired Shanahan following revelations of an alleged domestic violence incident from 2010. No charges were filed Kimberly Shanahan said Patrick Shanahan struck her 'several times' in the stomach, but the officer didn't notice any visible marks. She was arrested and charged with domestic violence, after the oficer determined she was the 'primary aggressor,' in part because she had blood stains on her forearm. Shanahan said he 'never laid a hand on' his former wife, USA Today reported. The acting Pentagon chief told the paper the incident 'is not dissimilar to those of the many families facing the difficult challenges that come when a loved one struggles with substance abuse and other emotional issues. I wish nothing but the best for her and regret that my children's privacy has been violated and they are being forced to relive a tragic situation that we have worked so hard as a family to put behind us.' The move comes amid increased tensions in the Middle East. Here Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, center, and Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, left, inspect an honor guard ahead of their meeting at the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, June 4, 2019 Said Shanahan: 'Though my marriage ended in sorrow and disappointment, I never laid a hand on my then-wife and cooperated fully in a thorough law enforcement investigation that resulted in her being charged with assault against me—charges which I had dropped in the interest of my family. The incident played out through the couple's lengthy divorce proceedings. Each acknowledged they had been drinking. Kimberly now goes by Kimberly Jordinson. The delay in confirmation comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with the U.S. dispatching an additional 1,000 troops to the region amid attacks on oil tankers that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attributes to Iran, which is ramping up its uranium enrichment. Shanahan's replacement, Esper, spent years as an executive at major defense contractor Raytheon. He also attended West Point, got a doctorate in public policy, and served as a high level Senate aide. He served as an infantry officer and was awarded the bronze star. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility