Trump names acting defense secretary with Hegseth not yet confirmed

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has named an acting defense secretary because his choice to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegsethhas not yet been confirmed by the Senate.

Robert Salesses, deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, will fill in as acting defense secretary, said two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an announcement that was not yet public.

To earn at the post officedid the incoming Trump administration need a top Pentagon chief who has already been confirmed by the Senate. Salesses is a retired Marine who served in the Gulf War and earned a Bronze Star.

He had directed the Washington headquarters service, which includes all of the Capital Region’s support services, including facility management and the attorney general’s office and others that support the military branches and Pentagon leadership.

Hegseth could see his nomination advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee as early as Monday, but due to the number of nominees to be approved, the full Senate may not take up his nomination later this week.

In his inaugural address, Trump listed some of his earliest Proclamations will involve the militaryincluding a potential additional deployment to the US-Mexico border to “finish” the construction of the border wall, as well Abolition of diversity, equality and inclusion training initiatives.

In a statement, US Northern Command, which is responsible for troops under federal orders at the border, said it is authorized to send as many as 2,500 troops.

There are now about 800 military members under federal orders at the border, said a third defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details of the troop total. That total does not include the troops there during the state’s National Guard deployments.

“The service members provide detection and surveillance, data entry, training, transportation, vehicle maintenance, and warehouse and logistical support for all 12 months. The authorization also includes light rotary-wing aviation support for aerial reconnaissance in support of CBP personnel on the ground,” NORTHCOM said.

The command is “working closely with the Joint Staff and the Department of Defense and stands ready to support the current administration.”

NBC first reported the Saleses’ appointment.