White House, Pentagon Deny Reports Suggesting Trump’s Navy Secretary Pick is About to Withdraw

The White House and the Pentagon are refuting suggestions that President Trump‘s nominee to lead the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps is planning to withdraw his nomination.

Over the weekend, there were various media indications that former Army Reserve officer Philip Bildren was about to take his name out of the running for Navy Secretary. CBS reported multiple sources informing them that Bildren was facing difficulties on separating himself from business interests, and that there were questions about whether his level of experience with Navy issues was sufficient.

On Saturday, Press Secretary Sean Spicer took to Twitter to address the reported rumors:

Those people would be wrong. Just spoke with him and he is 100% commited to being the next SECNAV pending Senate confirm. https://t.co/AfRZfQQCzG

— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) February 18, 2017

Military Times noted that the Pentagon released a statement, saying that Defense Secretary James Mattis recently spoke with Bildren, and Mattis “remains confident” about Bildren’s ability to lead the Navy. Mattis also said that Bildren “remains fully committed” to the job, provided his nomination is confirmed in the Senate.

Biden spent 10 years in the Army Reserve, after which he launched the private equity firm HarbourVest in Hong Kong. Bildren also served as a board member for the U.S. Naval Academy, where his sons have received schooling.

[image via screengrab]

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