With President Donald Trump's approval, Esper said army undersecretary Jim McPherson would take over as acting navy secretary. "Sadly, acting secretary Modly's actions and words demonstrate his failure to prioritize the force protection of our troops," Pelosi said in a written statement. Acting secretary Modly must be removed from his position or resign." Modly, a 1983 Naval Academy graduate, became the acting navy secretary last November after Richard Spencer was ousted from the position. Trump last month nominated retired rear admiral Kenneth Braithwaite, the current ambassador to Norway, to be the next navy secretary.

Source: CBC News April 07, 2020 21:00 UTC