Former CIA Director Michael Hayden called on Defense Secretary Mark Esper to resign after he accompanied President Trump to pose for photos in front of a vandalized church across from the White House.
Esper walked with Trump across Lafayette Square on Monday after peaceful protesters had been forcibly cleared from the area, which drew widespread condemnation.
“Two days ago, I thought, ‘Maybe he should resign,’” Hayden told CNN in an interview Wednesday. When asked whether he still thought that, Hayden said, “Yes. I do.”
On Wednesday, Esper broke with Trump on using the military to quell protests across the country and denied knowing that force was used to disperse protesters from the area.
“I’m glad he said some things, but, you know, he didn’t do enough,” Hayden said, calling Esper’s appearance alongside Trump “very, very political.”
Esper is reportedly on thin ice inside the White House after distancing himself from Trump’s threat to deploy the military.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not say on Wednesday whether Trump still has confidence in Esper.
“As of right now, Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper,” she said. “With regard to whether the president has confidence, I would say if he loses confidence in Secretary Esper, I’m sure you all will be the first to know.”
