Trump Is Likely to Name a Loyalist as Pentagon Chief After Tumultuous First Term

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President Donald Trump will likely choose a loyalist for his next Pentagon chief, ending a tumultuous four years in which he clashed repeatedly with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, according to current and former White House officials.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said Trump has been frustrated by Mattis’s reluctance to endorse some of his decisions, including the president’s abrupt withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria last December.

Trump has also been critical of Mattis’s handling of the ongoing war in Afghanistan, which the president has called a “mess” he inherited from the Obama administration.

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Trump's search will focus on finding a replacement who will be more supportive of his agenda. Among the potential contenders are former U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Joseph Votel, who retired from the Army in March, and former deputy defense secretary Patrick Shanahan, who is currently serving as acting defense secretary.

Votel is seen as a more traditional choice, while Shanahan is seen as a more Trumpian pick. Shanahan has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies and has been critical of Mattis.

It is unclear when Trump will make a decision on a new defense secretary. He has said he wants to wait until after the midterm elections, but he could make a move sooner if he believes Mattis is becoming too much of a liability.