WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the announcement that President Donald J. Trump intends to nominate Army Secretary Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense:

“Mark Esper has been an outstanding Secretary of the Army and is the right choice to lead the Pentagon. The United States military needs a steady and permanent Secretary of Defense while our country faces complex challenges around the globe. Secretary Esper will provide that leadership. In addition, he has traveled to Mississippi on numerous occasions and has a keen understanding of our state’s role in supporting our national defense.”