BPEA Spring 2024 conference

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Why did Trump fire Secretary of Defense Esper?

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump listens to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper address the daily White House coronavirus response briefing with members of the administration's coronavirus task force at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC2GMF9QPP29/File Photo

President Trump fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper via tweet on Monday, raising questions about the motives and risks of shaking up leadership at the Pentagon so close to a presidential transition. Michael O’Hanlon looks at Esper’s track record as secretary and the stability of civilian military leadership at the end of Trump’s term.

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Thanks to audio producer Gaston Reboredo, Chris McKenna, Fred Dews, Marie Wilken, and Camilo Ramirez for their support.