PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, after President Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and named Christopher C. Miller as Acting Defense Secretary for the remaining few weeks of the Trump Administration, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Firing the Secretary of Defense in the waning weeks of the Administration undermines national security at a critical moment.  The President’s choice to fire Secretary Esper is a play for attention and is yet another example of President Trump putting his ego over the needs and security of our nation.

“Joe Biden is President-elect, and it’s past time for Republican leaders to step up and explain that reality to President Trump before he takes further rash and attention-seeking acts that damage America.”