Trump sacks Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense

U.S. President Donald Trump has sacked Mark Esper as the Secretary of Defense, replacing him on an acting capacity with Christopher Miller.

"I am pleased to announce that Christopher C. Miller, the highly respected Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (unanimously confirmed by the Senate), will be Acting Secretary of Defense, effective immediately. Chris will do a GREAT job! Mark Esper has been terminated. I would like to thank him for his service," Trump wrote on Twitter.

Trump and Esper have not been in good terms in recent months as the now former Secretary of Defense clashed with the president on various issues.

In August, Trump referred to Esper at a press conference as "Mark 'Yesper,'" before hinting that he may not be long for the job.

Esper was scheduled to travel to Europe next week for talks on U.S. troop withdrawals from Germany.