Former federal attorneys, judges, and major officials have urged current career people to be prepared for difficult choices to come, but be strong. This top-level group urged them to remain true to their oaths to protect Americans by removing themselves from cases or operations they knew were wrong-headed. If necessary, They must be prepared to even resign.
That is where things started looking interesting. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the Pentagon, John Rood, just walked away from his job. He was the top policy official at the Pentagon. Officials noted that he had, according to CNN:
‘[L]ost support among senior national security leadership [and] that he broke with the administration on several key issues.’
Rood wrote in his resignation letter to Donald Trump:
‘It is my understanding from Secretary Esper that you requested my resignation from serving as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Senior administration officials appointed by the President serve at the pleasure of the President, and therefore, as you have requested, I am providing my resignation effective February 28, 2020.’
Immediately after the president had a phone conversation with the new Ukrainian President Volodymyr on July 25, 2019. Rood sent an email to the Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who was also new. Rood said he wanted to:
‘[Inform him about a meeting] To discuss the President’s concern about endemic corruption in Ukraine and his reported view that US should cease providing security assistance.’
Esper released a statement Wednesday:
‘I would like to thank John Rood for his service to the Department. John has played a critical role on a wide range of DoD issues including modernizing our nuclear deterrence capability, efforts to increase burden sharing by our NATO allies, our Missile Defense Review and implementing the National Defense Strategy. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.’
Trump tweeted:
‘I would like to thank John Rood for his service to our Country, and wish him well in his future endeavors!. [Rood] faced pressure to resign from some who lost confidence in his ability to carry out Trump agenda.’
Defense Department (DOD) Press Secretary Alyssa Farah also released a statement:
‘Dr. James Anderson, the current senior official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy will take over the responsibilities of Undersecretary Rood until a permanent replacement is appointed by the President and confirmed.’
Part of Rood’s responsibilities included:
‘[I]mplementing the Trump administration’s National Defense Strategy, which placed a greater emphasis on countering China and Russia, as well as overseeing the Nuclear Posture Review, which called for changes to the US nuclear arsenal, including the addition of new low-yield nuclear weapons.’
Rood was a CIA analyst before he worked at the Pentagon on a number of policy positions. He played a significant role in major defense negotiations with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, the largest American producers of military equipment.
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
