Robert Salesses has been sworn in as acting secretary of defense, NBC News reported.
Salesses is a Marine Corps veteran with years of experience working in the Pentagon and was sworn in just after President Donald Trump's second term began.
He previously served as deputy head of the Washington Headquarters Service, the administrative branch of the Pentagon focused on human resources facilities and resource management. While serving in the Gulf War, he was awarded a Bronze Star.
Salesses has worked with four presidential administrations, beginning with the George W. Bush administration when after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he served as the deputy special assistant for the Homeland Security Task Force, and later served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for defense continuity and mission assurance. He was later awarded the Presidential Rank award at the rank of Meritorious Executive for his leadership.
Salesses will serve in the position until Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee, or someone else is confirmed by the Senate.
Politico reported Senate Republicans are hoping to push Hegseth's nomination as Pentagon chief through the Senate Armed Services Committee as soon as Monday night and hold a full vote later this week.
Despite initial concerns from some Republican senators, Hegseth is expected to be confirmed.
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