Trump offers Pentagon's No. 2 job to billionaire Stephen Feinberg

Source: Washington Post

Today at 12:28 p.m. EST


President-elect Donald Trump offered billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg the job of deputy defense secretary, said people familiar with the matter, a decision that could elevate a longtime political supporter with investments in defense companies that maintain lucrative Pentagon contracts.

A spokesman for Feinberg declined to say if the private-equity investor has accepted the potential nomination. Trump made the offer in recent days, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the incoming administration’s personnel moves. The offer has not previously been reported.

The pick, which requires Senate confirmation, is not final until announced by Trump, his aides said. “President-Elect Trump has made brilliant decisions on who will serve in his second administration at lightning pace. Remaining decisions will continue to be announced by him when they are made,” Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.

Feinberg is the co-CEO of Cerberus Capital Management, which has invested in hypersonic missiles and which previously owned the private military contractor DynCorp. DynCorp was acquired by another defense firm, Amentum, in 2020. During the first Trump administration, Feinberg led the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, which provides the U.S. leader advice on intelligence assessments and estimates and counterintelligence matters.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/12/03/trump-stephen-feinberg-pentagon-hegseth/