The firing of defense secretary Mark Esper seems to be an effort by Donald Trump to emphasize his presidential powers, as president-elect Joe Biden launches his transition.
In the days before the election, reports indicated Trump was considering firing senior officials he had previously criticized.
In addition to Esper, FBI Director Christopher Wray is considered vulnerable to a lame-duck firing.
Donald Trump and defense secretary Mark Esper have publicly disagreed over the renaming of military bases named after Confederate generals.
While Esper has expressed openness to the idea, Trump has repeatedly insisted the bases should not be renamed.
NBC News reported last week that Esper was working with members of Congress on legislation to rename the bases:
Donald Trump fires defense secretary Mark Esper
5 years ago
