Army Secretary Nominee Withdraws From Consideration

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2013 file photo, Vincent Viola talks to the media about the future of the Florida Panthers during a press conference in Sunrise, Fla. President-elect Donald J. Trump has picked Viola as secre... FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2013 file photo, Vincent Viola talks to the media about the future of the Florida Panthers during a press conference in Sunrise, Fla. President-elect Donald J. Trump has picked Viola as secretary of the Army. Viola is the founder of several businesses, including Virtu Financial, an electronic trading firm, and owns the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers. He is a past chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s nominee for Army secretary, businessman Vincent Viola, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the post.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was disappointed but understood and respected Viola’s decision, a Pentagon statement said. Mattis will recommend to Trump another candidate soon, the statement said.

A Trump administration official confirmed Friday night that Viola had withdrawn. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.

The Military Times reported that Viola said in a statement he was “deeply honored” to be nominated but cited his inability to successfully navigate the confirmation process and Defense Department rules concerning family businesses.

Viola was the founder of several businesses, including the electronic trading firm Virtu Financial. He also owns the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers and is a past chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

A 1977 West Point graduate, Viola trained as an Airborne Ranger infantry officer and served in the 101st Airborne Division. In 2003, he founded and helped fund the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. The Military Times reported that Viola said in a statement he was “deeply honored” to be nominated but cited his inability to successfully navigate the confirmation process and Defense Department rules concerning family businesses.

    Wow, if only someone else in the DC swamp would do the same thing and “withdraw”.

  2. So Vincent is Michael’s nephew and Sonny’s illegitimate son?

  3. Badda-bing…

  4. Avatar for hoppy hoppy says:

    This guy couldn’t possibly fit in with the rest of Donnie’s gang. He seems to have some degree of integrity.

  5. Two weeks in and he wants nothing to do with a Trump Admin…

    Wise man…

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