President Donald Trump, in firing Defense Secretary Mark Esper, is “intent on using his final days in office to sow chaos in our American Democracy and around the world,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday.
"Continuity and stability are always important during a presidential transition; they are absolutely imperative at this moment, as this historically erratic Administration prepares for its departure," she added.
Trump announced, via Twitter, that he had fired Esper and would replace him with Christopher Miller, director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
"I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the highly respected Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (unanimously confirmed by the Senate), will be Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately..
"Chris will do a GREAT job! Mark Esper has been terminated. I would like to thank him for his service."
In appointing Miller, Trump sidestepped the department’s No.2-ranking official, Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist.
“Again and again, Trump’s recklessness endangers our national security. It is disturbing and dangerous that, at this precarious moment, our military will now be led by an official who has not been confirmed for this position by the Senate," Pelosi said.