Trump thanks Pentagon official said to be pressured to resign

President Trump on Wednesday thanked a top Pentagon official for his service, confirming that the undersecretary of Defense for policy was on his way out of the administration.

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

The president quote tweeted a Bloomberg News reporter who said Rood faced pressure to resign from some officials who lacked confidence in his ability to carry out Trump’s agenda.

I would like to thank John Rood for his service to our Country, and wish him well in his future endeavors! https://t.co/kPA1rYCKvp

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2020

Trump did not comment on the reason for Rood’s departure.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley was asked about Rood on Wednesday morning and referred comment to the Pentagon, which did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

CNN first reported that Rood was expected to leave the administration after losing support from other national security leaders.

Rood, who assumed his position in 2018, serves as a principal adviser to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and coordinates national security policy within the Pentagon as part of his role. He also oversees areas that deal with the country’s partnerships with foreign allies.

Rood played a role in initially certifying to Congress that Ukraine had taken actions to make institutional reforms within its government in order to receive $250 million in security assistance from the U.S.

“The United States remains committed to assisting with the implementation of these reforms to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend its territorial integrity in support of a secure and democratic Ukraine,” Rood wrote, according to a letter previously obtained by The Hill.

The House impeached Trump in December after he withheld security assistance for Ukraine and urged the Ukrainian president to investigate his political rivals. He was later acquitted in the GOP-controlled Senate.