Top Pentagon official John Rood to resign

The Defense Department’s top policy official is leaving his post amid reports of a clash with the White House and members of President Trump’s national security team, creating a key vacancy inside the Pentagon.

John C. Rood, who has served as the Pentagon’s under secretary of defense for policy since January 2018, is expected to formally resign Wednesday at the request of the president. News of his resignation was first reported by CNN and was quickly confirmed by the president on Twitter.

“I would like to thank John Rood for his service to our Country, and wish him well in his future endeavors!” Mr. Trump said in a Twitter post.

In his resignation letter, Mr. Rood makes clear that the president sought to remove him from the position.

“It’s my understanding from Secretary Esper that you requested my resignation from serving as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy,” reads the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Times. “Senior administration officials appointed by the President serve at the pleasure of the President, and therefore, as you have requested, I am providing my resignation effective February 28, 2020.”