Defense Department chief Christopher Miller ‘cannot wait to leave’ post


Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller “cannot wait to leave this job,” he told reporters — just two months into his tenure.

President Trump named Miller, a counterterrorism specialist, to the post via tweet on Nov. 9, when Trump abruptly fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper in the wake of his election loss.

With less than a week to go in the job, Miller held a meandering gaggle with reporters Thursday as he returned from a day of touring defense installations in Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska and Colorado.

The comment about his imminent departure came in response to a question about long-delayed and hugely expensive military acquisition programs, such as the F-35 fighter jet, which Miller — the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center — has opposed.

“I mean, I cannot wait to leave this job, believe me,” Miller said, according to a transcript released by the Defense Department. “But part of me is like, I would have loved to have gotten involved in the acquisition process.”

“Trillions of dollars over the course of … I’m like, come on,” he added.

A department spokesperson said Miller’s comment was lighthearted.

The statement came amid a flood of departures from Trump’s White House staff and cabinet in the wake of the deadly riot at the US Capitol on Jan. 6.

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