Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told CBS in an interview on Sunday that he helped prevent a series of “dangerous things that could lead the country in a dark direction” during his time in the Trump administration.
Driving the News: When Nora O’Donnell of CBS asked Esper during the 60 Minutes interview for examples, he cited a proposal to “take military action against Venezuela”, to “strike at Iran” and “at one point someone suggest we block Cuba. “
Background: O’Donnell noted during the program that Ukraine was an “early source of tension” between Esper and then-President Trump.
- Esper documents in his book The Holy Oath that two days after his Senate confirmation in 2019, Trump asked Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for a “favor” during a phone call for help for the country, which eventually led to the first impeachment. of Trump.
- Esper agreed with O’Donnell that he should continue to press Trump to release $ 250 million in aid to Ukraine. “It will be dispute after dispute. And I have to say, “Look, Mr. President, at the end of the day, Congress appropriated. This is the law. We have to do it, “he added.
Zoom in: Esper said such ideas would come at different times, “certainly in the last year of administration.”
- “These ideas seem to happen every few weeks,” Esper said. “Something like this will happen and we will have to defeat them.”
- O’Donnell asked Esper, “Who did we have to break them?”
- “Mostly me,” he said. “I had good support from General Mark Millie.”
Background: Esper’s interview follows a series of outspoken allegations he made during his time in the Trump administration, including exploring the possibility of a secret missile launch in Mexico and asking if protesters against George Floyd’s death could be shot. in the legs.
- In an interview with 60 Minutes, Esper also said that then-President Trump was discussing sending 10,000 troops to Washington after a small fire at the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church during protests against racial injustice.
- Trump denied this and several other allegations made by Esper in a statement to CBS:
It is worth noting: During his interview, Esper also described the work of President Biden’s administration in response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine as “mixed.”
- “They had an unstable beginning,” Esper said. “I would never eliminate the military option, for example. “I do not understand the reluctance to give MiGs to Ukrainians,” he continued, referring to fighter jets.
- “It simply came to our notice then. I think we are now bringing more supplies, materials and weapons into Ukraine, “he added. “I think they have done a good job of attracting allies, which is important.”
- Esper also praised Congress for being united in its support for Ukraine. “And somehow they led the administration,” he said. “So it is good to see now that Congress and the executive are working together, reasonably coordinated, to help the Ukrainian people.”
- Pentagon officials did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment on Esper’s remarks about Millie.
- Representatives of the White House, the State Department, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, the Mayor of the District of Columbia Muriel Bowser also did not respond to requests for comment.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new details everywhere
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