Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Suddenly the President of the United States (US) Donald Trump announced himself dismissing Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense (US Defense Minister). He even made the notification on his social media account on Twitter @realDonaldTrump.
He also immediately appointed Esper’s successor, namely the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Christopher C. Miller. “Mark Esper has been dismissed,” Trump tweeted @realDonaldTrump, Monday (9/11/2020) afternoon local time.
Though earlier in mid-October, Esper had just met with Mengan RI, Prabowo Subianto. He invited Prabowo last October 15 to the Pentagon.
Quoted on the official website of the US Defense Ministry, during the meeting the two ministers discussed regional security, bilateral defense priorities and defense acquisitions. Esper spoke of the importance of upholding human rights, rule of law, and professionalization as the two countries expand their involvement.
Meanwhile, Prabowo conveyed the importance of military involvement at all levels, and expressed his appreciation for US support for the modernization of Indonesia’s defense. Both also expressed their hopes of increasing bilateral military-to-military activities and working together in maritime security.
Not only that, the two ministers also signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to attempt to restart the Defense Prisoner of War / Missing in Action Accounting Agency. This is done to restart US work in America to recover US personnel who were lost in Indonesia during World War II.
Previously, Prabowo’s visit was in the spotlight of many parties because it has been 20 years since the Gerindra Party chairman has been banned from entering the US. In the past, Prabowo has been accused of being involved in serious human rights violations, including kidnapping, torture and disappearances, although he has never been prosecuted or tried until now.
Don’t know how this will change the policies the two have previously discussed. Including how the policies after Joe Biden became president later. CNBC Indonesia still trying to contact the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.
Meanwhile, quoting CNBC InternationalThe dismissal was carried out after months of rioting in the US. Esper had rejected Trump’s request regarding the implementation of the emergency law in the US, Insurrection Ac, which allows active military deployments.
This move also comes amid Trump’s rejection of the results of the US Presidential Election (Election). Trump lost to Joe Biden, where he got only 214 electoral votes and his rival 290.
Esper’s dismissal might not be the first either. A Trump administration official told the media that FBI and CIA officials would also be fired soon.
Currently the Director of the US FBI is Christopher Wray. While the Director of the CIA is Gina Haspel.
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