Mark Esper: Career and Controversies
Mark Esper is a former top lobbyist at Raytheon, a defense contractor, and the former Secretary of Defense in the United States. He was born in 1964 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Esper graduated from West Point in 1986 and served in the Gulf War, receiving the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge for his service in Iraq. Mark Esper later worked at the Heritage Foundation and as a senior policy advisor for Senator Chuck Hagel. Esper also served in the George W. Bush administration before joining Raytheon as vice president of government relations in 2010.
Esper’s tenure at Raytheon was marked by record federal lobbying spending in 2013, totaling $7.6 million. He was confirmed as Secretary of Defense in 2019 but faced scrutiny for his ties to Raytheon. Senator Elizabeth Warren called on him to recuse himself from matters involving Raytheon, citing a conflict of interest.
After serving in the government, Esper refused to promise to work for or receive compensation from any defense contractor for at least four years. Esper oversaw a military budget of $738 billion and faced criticism for prioritizing military spending over domestic needs like healthcare and education. He resigned as Secretary of Defense in 2020.
After resigning as Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper’s future plans are unclear. Given his background and experience in government and the defense industry, he could potentially return to work in the private sector, possibly in a role related to defense or government relations.
Esper’s tenure as Secretary of Defense was marked by several significant events, including the U.S. military’s involvement in the killing of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, and the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Esper also faced criticism for his handling of the protests following the killing of George Floyd, with some accusing him of politicizing the military.
Career, Legacy, and Future Prospects
Overall, Mark Esper’s career has been defined by his close ties to the defense industry and his role in shaping U.S. military policy. His future actions and decisions will likely continue to be closely watched, especially given the ongoing debate over the role of the military-industrial complex in U.S. politics and policy.
Mark Esper’s career has been marked by his close ties to the defense industry and his role in shaping U.S. military policy. His tenure as Secretary of Defense was characterized by efforts to modernize the military and address emerging threats, such as cyber warfare and competition with China and Russia.
Esper also oversaw the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, a decision that was controversial and criticized by some as abandoning U.S. allies in the region. He faced pressure from President Trump to use the military to quell civil unrest in the United States, a move that Esper resisted and that ultimately led to his resignation.
Since leaving office, Esper has kept a relatively low profile. He has not made any public statements or announcements about his plans. It remains to be seen what role, if any, he will play in U.S. politics or the defense industry in the future.
Since leaving office, Mark Esper has kept a relatively low profile. He has not made any public statements or announcements about his plans. It remains to be seen what role, if any, he will play in U.S. politics or the defense industry in the future.
Esper’s tenure as Secretary of Defense was marked by his efforts to modernize the military and address emerging threats, such as cyber warfare and competition with China and Russia. He also oversaw the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, a decision that was controversial and criticized by some as abandoning U.S. allies in the region.
Esper faced pressure from President Trump to use the military to quell civil unrest in the United States, a move that Esper resisted and that ultimately led to his resignation. His handling of the protests following the killing of George Floyd was also criticized, with some accusing him of politicizing the military.
Overall, Mark Esper’s future role in U.S. politics and the defense industry remains uncertain. However, his close ties to the defense industry and his experience in government suggest that he may continue to be involved in these areas in some capacity.
What is Mark Esper Doing Now?
Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has joined CNN as a global affairs analyst and political commentator, the network announced today. Esper served as Secretary of Defense during the Trump administration from July 2019 to November 2020 and is currently a partner and board member at venture capital firm Ridge Capital Partners.
During his tenure as Secretary of Defense, Esper led the department during a conflict with Iran, ongoing operations in Afghanistan, counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East, and amid a shifting geopolitical landscape with open competition from China and Russia. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Esper played a role in coordinating Operation Warp Speed, the development and rapid distribution of vaccines.
From Military Service to Corporate Consulting – A Journey of Leadership and Public Service”
From November 2017 to June 2019, Esper held the position of 23rd Secretary of the Army before being appointed Secretary of Defense. He was responsible for over 1.5 million active, guard, and reserve soldiers and civilians in that role. During the Gulf War in 1990–1991, Esper started his military career as an infantry officer with the 101st Airborne Division. He then led an airborne rifle company in Europe. as part of NATO’s peacekeeping mission. Among his many military honors, he receives the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. After 10 years of active duty and 11 years in the National Guard and Army Reserve, Esper retired from the military in 2007.
Following his discharge from the military, Esper held senior positions in national security at Capitol Hill, worked as the Pentagon’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, took part in presidential campaigns, and engaged with eminent think tanks and business associations. In addition, he was a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, having been confirmed by the Senate.
Esper is currently employed as a corporate consultant and participates in several public policy and private capital boards. In his best-selling biography A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense, he describes amazing events that happened while he was in office. He graduated from George Washington University, Harvard University, and West Point.
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