Defense Lobbyist Van Hipp Pulls Out of Consideration for Army Secretary

Defense lobbyist Van Hipp has taken himself out of the running for Army secretary, Politico reports.

"I support President Trump and his leadership 100 percent, but unfortunately the timing would not be right for my family and me due to personal and professional commitments," Hipp says in a statement to the website.

It was the second time Hipp had been considered for the post, Politico reports. He had been a top contender previously when Trump picked Vincent Viola, a New York billionaire, for the job, the website noted.

The New York Times reports Viola pulled out after concluding it would be too difficult to entangle himself from his business ties.

Officials were taking a second look at Hipp after Viola dropped out, according to Politico.

Hipp is the chairman of the defense lobbying firm American Defense International, according to the website. He is an Army veteran who served in the first Gulf War, as well as a former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.

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