President Donald Trump has appointed Robert Salesses as the acting Secretary of Defense, following delays in the Senate confirmation of his nominated Pentagon leader, Pete Hegseth. Salesses, who is currently the deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, will temporarily take on the role. Additionally, other career Defense Department officials will step in as acting heads for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. To fill these senior positions, the Trump administration needed individuals who had already been confirmed by the Senate. Salesses, a retired Marine who served in the Gulf War and received a Bronze Star, has been overseeing services supporting military branches and Pentagon leadership, including facilities management and legal services.
Hegseth’s nomination could be moved forward by the Senate Armed Services Committee as soon as Monday. However, due to the large number of nominees awaiting approval, the full Senate may not address his confirmation until later in the week.
President Trump has appointed several individuals to fill acting leadership roles at the Pentagon. Mark Averill, who previously served as the administrative assistant to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, will serve as acting Secretary of the Army. Averill, a West Point graduate, has been a senior civilian in the military since 2009.
Terence Emmert, the principal deputy chief technology officer for mission capabilities, will step in as acting Secretary of the Navy. A former Navy aviator, Emmert brings extensive experience in research and testing to the role.
Gary Ashworth, who has been working as the assistant secretary for acquisition on a temporary basis, will serve as acting Secretary of the Air Force. Ashworth, a veteran of over 20 years in the Air Force, previously led an acquisition squadron.
