Trump Calls Suggestions for SecDef 'A Good List to Start Off With,' for 2nd Term in White House

By Becca Lower | 10:52 PM on December 22, 2023

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As we wrote earlier, 2024 GOP presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump gave an interview to syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt on Friday. The interview covered many subjects, including the media attempt in recent days to tie his remarks on immigration to Adolph Hitler, whether Trump would commit to handing over power peacefully if he returns to the White House in 2024, and when he may join the rest of the Republican primary field on the debate stage.

There were also scintillating whispers shared by two sources, reported by Politico, that Trump has been quizzing his inner circle on whether to pick a running mate whose name could spark controversy among his dedicated supporters.

But as I hinted, he spoke with Hewitt about more than those topics. The former president also mulled a short list of potential defense secretaries for his second term in the White House that Hewitt rattled off.

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL)
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI)
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Former national security adviser Robert O’Brien
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Trump called the suggestions "a good list to start off with." He also added a possible name to the list:

....Trump singled out Christopher Miller, the former Green Beret who served as acting defense secretary for the last two months of Trump’s first term, when asked who he would pick.

Trump told Hewitt, "We had Miller at the end who did a very good job. I thought he was really good. I thought he was very good."

My colleague Streiff wrote about the cacophony of fear-mongering on the Left over the Trump Administration replacing--within 24 hours--not only Secretary of Defense Mark Esper but his chief of staff, the policy chief, and the chief of intelligence in November 2020.

Miller responded positively to Trump dropping his name in connection with the top Pentagon job:

I’m humbled by President Trump’s comments — he was remarkably effective at protecting Americans and advancing our Nation’s interests around the world. I was honored to play a small part. I come from a family of public servants — when asked to serve, we answer the call.

As this is a developing story, RedState will provide more details as they become available.