Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has have served exactly one year in his role, but according to CNN, the last few months have been the toughest.<br />Defense officials say Esper has had to focus on preventing President Donald Trump from endangering national security or demoralizing military troops.<br />According to CNN, Esper's numerous conflicts with the Trump administration have begun to spill out in public.<br />For instance, by effectively banning the Confederate flag from military bases, Esper has put himself at odds with the White House.<br />Esper approved Lt. Col Alexander Vindman for promotion even after the White House tried to get his name stricken from the promotion list in retaliation.<br />Finally, the last time Esper spoke to Pentagon reporters, he said he did not support invoking the Insurrection Act.<br />President Donald Trump had threatened to send in active-duty troops to quell protests in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd.<br />Nothing that has happened since has made either side feel better.
