May 09, 2019

Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Shanahan Nomination to Serve as Defense Secretary

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) released the following statement in response to reports that President Trump will nominate Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to serve as the next Secretary of Defense:

"Patrick Shanahan hasn't distinguished himself as Acting Secretary of Defense. It's unclear why he deserves to be the permanent Secretary.

"Shanahan has bumbled the Niger investigation, stood by while critical positions remain unstaffed, and is the man at the helm for the Department of Defense's unconstitutional theft of resources for Trump's dumb border wall.

"Our military service members and DOD civil servants deserve better leadership. I urge my Senate colleagues to reject Shanahan's nomination."