![]() ![]() Trump defends firing of key impeachment witness VindmanĮarlier this month,Trump fired two key impeachment witnesses who were involved in the controversy over aid to Ukraine, dismissing Lt. “I have no information that would lead me to that conclusion,” he added.Ĭhip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/Getty Images Responding to a question Wednesday about a possible link between Rood’s resignation and his role in certifying aid to Ukraine, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman said that it “sounds speculative.” Rood notes in his email to the secretary that “placing a hold on security assistance at this time would jeopardize this unique window of opportunity and undermine our defense priorities with a key partner in the strategic competition with Russia.” Hours after Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a conversation that was at the center of impeachment proceedings, Rood emailed Secretary of Defense Mark Esper – who had been in the job two days – informing him about an upcoming deputies meeting, “to discuss the President’s concern about endemic corruption in Ukraine and his reported view that US should cease providing security assistance,” according to emails reviewed by CNN. That certification undermined one of the justifications – concerns about corruption in Kiev – that some members of the Trump administration made to defend blocking aid to Ukraine. He was involved in certifying to Congress that Ukraine had embarked on significant reforms to justify its receipt of $250 million in security assistance. Rood is the Pentagon’s top policy official and oversees aspects of the Pentagon’s relationship with US allies and partners. One official said some examples of Rood’s differing views from some of Trump’s key policy stances included being skeptical about peace talks with the Taliban as well as the administration decision to scale down military exercises with South Korea during talks with North Korea and him pushing for a more aggressive approach to Russia by supporting Ukraine. Officials have said Rood often was perceived as not embracing some of the changes in policy the White House and senior Pentagon officials wanted. Officials tell CNN that Rood has differed with the administration on a number of issues including Afghanistan and Ukraine. Another official said they believe multiple issues may have been involved. ![]() Two officials familiar with the situation told CNN that they believe Ukraine was a factor in Rood’s dismissal. James Anderson, the current senior official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy will take over the responsibilities of Undersecretary Rood until a permanent replacement is appointed by the President and confirmed.” “I would like to thank John Rood for his service to our Country, and wish him well in his future endeavors!” Trump wrote, also sharing a story from Bloomberg News which indicated that Rood “faced pressure to resign from some who lost confidence in his ability to carry out Trump agenda.”ĭefense Department press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement that “Dr. Pentagon officials stunned by White House decision to block Ukraine aid, new emails show Senior administration officials appointed by the President serve at the pleasure of the President, and therefore, as you have requested, I am providing my resignation effective February 28, 2020,” Rood wrote in his letter to President Donald Trump, dated Wednesday.ĬNN was first to report Rood’s impending departure which was confirmed by Trump in a tweet Wednesday. ![]() “It is my understanding from Secretary Esper that you requested my resignation from serving as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. John Rood, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the Pentagon, is the latest senior national security official involved in the Ukraine controversy to be forced out following Trump’s acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial, but sources told CNN that he broke with the administration on several issues, in addition to the handling of aid to Ukraine, leading to a loss of support from leadership. The Pentagon’s top policy official who warned against withholding military aid to Ukraine last year resigned on Wednesday at the request of President Donald Trump, according to a copy of his resignation letter obtained by CNN. ![]()
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