tag | Mark Esper

Defense Secretary Mark Esper never received a briefing about alleged Russian practices against U.S. troops in Afghanistan that included the term “bounty,” he told Congress on Thursday.

“I’ve always believed and continue to believe,” Esper added, “that the National Guard is best suited for performing domestic support to civil authorities in these situations, in support of local law enforcement.”

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday that President Donald Trump gave him a direct order to allow a Navy SEAL accused of war crimes to retire without losing his SEAL status.