Before Nominating Shanahan, Trump Assailed Him For Lack Of Progress On Border Wall

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: U.S. acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (2nd L) listens to President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Cabinet Room at the ... WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: U.S. acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (2nd L) listens to President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Cabinet Room at the White House April 02, 2019 in Washington, DC. On the 70th anniversary of NATO, Trump and Stoltenberg discussed the trans-Atlantic alliance's successes and its 'evolving challenges,' according to the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE LESS

May 10, 2019 8:07 a.m.

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While the White House lavished acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan with praise upon announcing his nomination to head the department on Thursday, President Trump reportedly had reservations about the pick, Politico reported.

Shanahan was invited to the White House at least twice in the past two weeks to speak with Trump. The acting secretary reportedly expected to be nominated during those meetings, but left both times without an offer.

Trump even admonished him in one of the meetings for, what he sees as, the Pentagon’s lack of progress on building his border wall. The Pentagon’s been tasked with funding construction projects on the southern border ever since Trump declared a national emergency to get his pet project built.

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Nicole Lafond (@Nicole_Lafond) is TPM’s deputy editor, based in New York. She has also worked as the special projects editor and as a senior newswriter for TPM. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and previously covered education in central Illinois.

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I know DoD funds are being robbed to pay for wall construction. And DoD personnel are being used for piecemeal repairs and reinforcements to existing sections of fencing and walls. But is the Pentagon actually tasked will building the new sections of wall? I assumed that would be let out to bid, just as the Transportation Dept. does when Federal highway projects are awarded. Does Trump think all the architects, engineers, construction workers, heavy equipment operators, lawyers, inspectors, etc are supplied from the ranks of the armed services? In addition to the thousands of trucks and heavy pieces of construction equipment that will be needed?

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ANNFFL says:

May 10, 2019

Now I’m interested in the offer conditions.
benthere says:

May 10, 2019

You mean to say that all people are props in Donnie’s world?? I am shocked…
ottnott says:

May 10, 2019

Shamanism got the nomination after showing Trumpp that new sections of the wall were in place and highly effective.