The following article by Dan Lamothe was posted on the Washington Post website June 20, 2017:
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) criticized Boeing executive Patrick Shanahan for not answering a question on the conflict in Ukraine during a Senate hearing on June 20. Shanahan has been nominated to be deputy defense secretary. (Senate Armed Services Committee)
President Trump’s choice to take the No. 2 job at the Pentagon had a rocky confirmation hearing Tuesday, with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) at one point threatening to withhold his nomination from a vote and other lawmakers questioning how he will overcome his lack of experience in the Defense Department.
Patrick M. Shanahan, a vice president at the aerospace company and defense contractor Boeing, who was nominated in March to be deputy defense secretary, also faced questions about how he would manage day-to-day operations in the Pentagon while recusing himself from all decisions with a tie to Boeing. Shanahan has worked for the defense behemoth since 1986, with stints overseeing civilian airliner programs and military equipment. Continue reading “Trump’s pick for the No. 2 Pentagon job faces tough questions during confirmation hearing”