The action against the drone is just the latest confrontation in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf.
Army Secretary Mark T. Esper, a former Army officer, worked for seven years as a top lobbyist for defense contractor Raytheon.
Richard V. Spencer became acting defense secretary to comply with federal law as Mark T. Esper seeks Senate confirmation to take on the role permanently.
Gen. Mark Milley, president’s pick to become next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowed to provide independent advice.
Adm. William Moran was due to take over as chief of naval operations on Aug. 1.
The president avoided partisan attacks, and the Pentagon showed off its aircraft.
Pentagon plans to use creative accounting to handle the military portion of the event.
White House aides have been focused on trying to avoid a situation like January 2017, when the new president was enraged that his inaugural audience was notably smaller than Barack Obama’s in 2009.
The White House is also giving VIP tickets to GOP donors and political appointees for an event that traditionally has been a nonpartisan celebration of the nation’s founding.
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