President Donald Trump has appointed an acting defense secretary, Robert Salesses, as his nominee for the position, Pete Hegseth, awaits Senate confirmation. Salesses, a retired Marine with Gulf War experience and a Bronze Star, currently leads the Washington Headquarters Service, overseeing various support services for the military branches and Pentagon leadership.
In the interim, three other career Defense Department civilians will serve as acting heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Mark Averill, a senior civilian and West Point graduate, will act as the Army secretary. Terence Emmert, a former Navy aviator with research and testing expertise, will serve as the acting Navy secretary. Gary Ashworth, a former Air Force officer with extensive acquisition experience, will act as the Air Force secretary.
Trump has indicated plans for potential military actions in his inaugural address, including a possible increase in troops at the U.S.-Mexico border to aid in border wall construction and the discontinuation of diversity training programs. Currently, around 2,500 National Guard and Reserve forces are on active duty at the border, providing various support functions for Customs and Border Protection personnel.
U.S. Northern Command, responsible for federal troops at the border, stated that they are authorized to maintain the current troop levels for homeland defense missions. While there are no active duty troops at the border presently, some in leadership roles may perform command and control functions as needed.
