News

Former Defense Sec. Mark Esper Says Trump Shouldn’t Be Trusted With National Security Information

On Sunday, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper criticized Donald Trump’s handling of sensitive national security secrets.

Earlier in the month, Trump was indicted on 37 counts for mishandling and hiding national security information after his exit from the White House. He was also charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and falsifying statements to officials from the Department of Justice. The former president was arrested and arraigned last week at the Miami federal courthouse, where he pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Trump chose Esper to serve as Defense Secretary in June 2019 and fired him in November 2020. Esper has since expressed his disapproval of some of Trump’s policies and plans while he was president.

On Sunday, Esper drew comparisons between Trump’s case and that of Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard member who was recently indicted for posting sensitive military documents on social media. Esper emphasized the severity of these breaches of security.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“Imagine if a foreign agent, another country were to discover documents that outline America’s vulnerabilities or the weaknesses of the United States military,” Esper said on CNN’s State of the Union. “Think about how that could be exploited, how that could be used against us in a conflict, how an enemy could develop countermeasures… Or in the case of the most significant piece that was raised in the allegation about U.S. plans to attack Iran, think about how that affects our readiness, or ability to prosecute an attack.”

When asked if he thought Trump could be trusted with national secrets, should he be elected president in 2024, Esper said no.

“Based on his actions, if proven true, under the indictment by the special counsel, no… It’s just irresponsible action that places our service members at risk, places our nation’s security at risk. You cannot have these documents floating around,” said Esper.

Trump has made it clear that he will not be dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. District Judge Aileen Cannon has set a tentative date of August 14, 2023, for the start of Trump’s trial.

Ava Lombardi

Recent Posts

Democrats Attack Green Party Nominee Jill Stein In New Ad

A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…

12 hours ago

Jennifer Lopez Says Trump ‘Offended Every Latino In The Country’ With MSG Joke At Harris Rally

https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…

12 hours ago

Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Says ‘Gates Of Hell’ Will Be Opened On Opponents If Trump Is Reelected

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Hugs First Person In Line For Her Ellipse Rally, Chats With Her Mom

https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Harris Vows To Put ‘Country Above Party’ In Front Of 75,000 People At The Ellipse

https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…

3 days ago

Trump-Friendly Judge Aileen Cannon In The Running For Attorney General If Former President Wins Second Term

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…

3 days ago