Defense secretary breaks with Trump over military force
President Trump and Defense Secretary Mark Esper are at odds over the president's threat to use active duty troops to rein in protests. Paula Reid reports.
Mark Esper
6/3/20: Red and Blue
Growing scrutiny over handling of protesters; Prepping for a safe election in November
Esper on fallout from Navy captain's firing
Defense Secretary Mark Esper joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the military's role in aiding the country through the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to health care workers, service members are on the front lines providing support to overwhelmed hospitals. Esper also reacts to the fallout from the recent firing of Navy aircraft carrier Captain Brett Crozier, who sent a letter that was later leaked about the severity of the virus threat on his ship.
Public health officials say the worst is yet to come
With the U.S. coronavirus death count at more than 9,000, President Trump and top officials are warning that the toughest week is still ahead. Health officials are also pleading to the public to take social distancing measures even more seriously than now. Nikole Killion reports.
1/6/20: CBSN Evening News
Defense Secy: No plans to pull troops out of Iraq; Young girl defies disability to become musician
11/09/20: Red and Blue
Pres. Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper; Vice President elect Kamala Harris makes history
Trump fires Secretary of Defense Mark Esper
President Trump has fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Christopher Miller, the head of the National Counterterrorism Center, has been named as acting secretary. Ben Tracy reports.
Trump fires Esper as defense secretary 6 days after election
"Mark Esper has been terminated. I would like to thank him for his service," the president said.
Pentagon rescinding order to shutter Stars and Stripes newspaper
President Trump vowed to continue funding the paper in a tweet last week.
Trump on 2015 McCain comments: "I say what I say"
Trump speaks to reporters a day after an article in The Atlantic alleged he had called American service members who died fighting "suckers" and "losers."
Washington ponders next move on Iran
The day after at least a dozen Iranian rockets slammed into two military bases with U.S. troops in Iraq, the Trump administration is pondering its next move. U.S. allies are condemning Iran, which in turn claims this attack concluded their "legal and proportionate" response to the targeted killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. CBS News State Department reporter Christina Ruffini joins CBSN with the latest from Washington.
House hearing on Russian bounty intel reports
Defense Secretary Mark Esper testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss intelligence reports alleging Russia may have paid the Taliban to kill U.S. troops. John Gans, the director of communications and research for the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House global policy center, and former chief speechwriter for Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, joins "Red and Blue" with key takeaways from the testimony.
U.S. to withdraw 12,000 American troops from Germany
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said 5,600 troops would be redeployed to other NATO countries and 6,400 would return to the U.S.
New Pentagon policy effectively bans Confederate symbols
Trump has insisted that the Confederate flag should be protected under "freedom of speech."
Confederate symbols effectively banned at military sites
On Friday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper effectively banned the usage of Confederate flags at U.S. military installations. Esper issued a memo that listed flags that can be displayed, and the Confederate flag was not on that list.
Esper defends use of National Guard in helping with civil unrest after George Floyd death
Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley testified before lawmakers Thursday.
Trump demanded 10,000 active-duty troops deploy to streets
In an attempt to satisfy Mr. Trump's demand, Esper and Milley used the call with the governors later that morning to implore them to call up the National Guard in their own states, the official said.
Mattis, Esper speak out against Trump
Former Trump administration Defense Secretary James Mattis issued a scathing statement denouncing Mr. Trump's divisive tactics, while current Defense Secretary Mark Esper publicly disputed the president's comments about using the military to quell protests. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joins CBSN to talk about the latest.
Mattis criticizes Trump's protest response
Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis is accusing President Trump of dividing the country. Current Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is also at odds with the president, saying active duty forces should only be used to stop protests as a last resort. Weijia Jiang reports.
Former presidents react to George Floyd's death
Every former living president has now issued a statement on the death of George Floyd. New charges against the officers involved in the incident which led to his death were also filed Wednesday. CBS News' Natalie Brand, CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett and Washington Post political reporter Eugene Scott join CBSN's "Red & Blue" to discuss.
Defense chief opposes sending troops to quell protests
Esper's comments contradicted President Trump, who threatened to deploy the military to quell protests on Monday.
Esper differs with Trump on Insurrection Act
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says he does not support the idea of sending the military into states to control protests, as President Trump has suggested. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang spoke to CBSN's Tanya Rivero about the implications of that disagreement.
D.C. religious leaders criticize Trump visits
President Trump is facing backlash from local religious leaders for his visits to a historic church and national shrine amid the protests this week over George Floyd's death. CBS News White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joins CBSN to break down the latest developments.
Shanahan withdraws Defense Secy. nomination
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is withdrawing from the confirmation process after accusations of domestic violence by his ex-wife. Secretary of the Army Mark Esper will be taking his place. This comes as the Pentagon also announced it will be sending 1,000 more troops to the Middle East. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin joined CBSN with more.
Trump struggles to facilitate talks with Iran
President Trump is calling John Bolton a "hawk" but says he still has confidence in his national security adviser despite calling off a planned strike on Iran. This comes as the president gears up for high-stakes talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Japan next week. White House columnist for The Hill, Niall Stanage, joins CBSN to break down the latest developments.
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