Defense Secretary Mark Esper Says He Won’t Cooperate With Impeachment Inquiry

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, then-nominee, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing in Washington in a file photograph. Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Mark Esper won’t comply with the impeachment inquiry, joining President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Vice President Mike Pence.

The Trump administration sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Oct. 8 rejecting the premise of the inquiry, arguing that it’s illegitimate because it’s not following traditional norms such as a full House vote.