Trump fires defense secretary in post-election reckoning after policy splits

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he had “terminated” Defense Secretary Mark Esper (photo, above), signalling he may use his final months in office after his defeat at the polls to settle scores within his administration.

Trump had split with Esper over a range of issues and was particularly angered by his public opposition to Trump’s threats to use active duty military forces this summer to suppress street protests over racial injustice after police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Democrats reacted with alarm, saying Trump’s move sent a dangerous message to America’s adversaries and dimmed hopes for an orderly transition as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office...