Medal of Honor Recipients Divided in Push for Trump's Army Secretary Nominee
War heroes lobby President Trump with endorsements split between Army Comptroller Marc Andersen and Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell amid internal Pentagon strife.
Some of the nation's Medal of Honor recipients have publicly voiced their preferences for President Trump's nominee for Army secretary, as Pentagon insiders describe a contentious selection process. The decision has reportedly become a "knife fight" among candidates vying to replace outgoing Secretary Dan Driscoll.
Two Medal of Honor recipients are advocating for Marc Andersen, the Army's comptroller and assistant secretary for financial management. Britt Slabinski, president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, urged Trump to select Andersen, emphasizing the need for a leader focused on building a capable Army rather than one who engages in "caretaker" roles or seeks personal gain. Slabinski described Andersen as a "contributor" who manages the Army's budget with a focus on modernization.
Leroy Arthur Petry, another Medal of Honor recipient, echoed the support for Andersen, citing his "total care and passion for service and the family and the troops." Petry highlighted Andersen's understanding of the challenges faced by soldiers and their families, stating that Andersen "loves the troops." Andersen, a former executive in venture capital and consulting, has managed the Army's substantial budget and possesses a strong network from his work with veteran charities.
However, Earl Plumlee, a Medal of Honor recipient, declared his support for Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman. Plumlee believes Parnell's extensive experience interacting with industry, particularly concerning emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and data centers, makes him the better choice. Plumlee suggested that winning the race for technological dominance is crucial for avoiding kinetic conflict and that Parnell understands this need.
Dakota Meyer, also a Medal of Honor recipient, stated his strong endorsement for Parnell, citing Parnell's experience as a combat leader and his understanding of Pentagon operations. Meyer asserted that Parnell possesses the qualities of a "warrior, a proven leader and a man of character."
Parnell has also gained support from Senators Dave McCormick and Tim Sheehy. However, reports of spousal abuse allegations from Parnell's ex-wife could pose a significant hurdle to his confirmation in the narrowly divided Senate, with Senator Kevin Cramer expressing reservations.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reportedly suggested Parnell or Dane Hughes, the department's legislative affairs chief, to President Trump as replacements for Driscoll. Driscoll, who resigned on Sept. 2, reportedly experienced a power struggle with Hegseth.
Insiders described the competition for the position as a "knife fight." Some within the administration reportedly view Andersen as aligned with Driscoll and have criticized Andersen's public persona and associations. Conversely, Parnell is seen as a favorite among some longtime Trump allies, although his candidacy faces challenges due to the abuse allegations.
A White House official stated that President Trump will announce his nominee for Secretary of the Army at an opportune time, noting that many qualified candidates are interested in serving the Commander-in-Chief.