Trump taps Shanahan as U.S. defense chief

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to nominate Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan as the Secretary of Defense, the White House said on Thursday.

In this April 9, 2018, file ., Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, right, listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, in Washington. [File Photo: IC]

"Based upon his outstanding service to the country and his demonstrated ability to lead, President Trump intends to nominate Patrick M. Shanahan to be the Secretary of Defense," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"I am honored by today's announcement of President Trump's intent to nominate," Shanahan said in a statement, "I remain committed to modernizing the force so our remarkable soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have everything they need to keep our military lethal and our country safe."

Shanahan, 56, served as the deputy secretary of defense from July 2017 to January 2019, when he became the acting secretary of defense.