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Former Trump Defense secretary: 'I don't see that the president is always getting good advice'
politics

Former Trump Defense secretary: 'I don't see that the president is always getting good advice'

The Hill · Jun 21, 2026, 7:13 PM · Also reported by 2 other sources

Key takeaways

  • Do you trust that the president is being given advice by people who think their loyalty is to the Constitution?
  • I don t see that the president is always getting good advice, and so I think that s the question to ask.
  • A number of Republicans in Washington have expressed concern and frustration with some of Trump s actions in recent weeks, particulary in Iran.

Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.

Do you trust that the president is being given advice by people who think their loyalty is to the Constitution? NBC News s Garrett Haake asked Esper, who served in President Trump s first term, on Meet the Press.

I don t see that the president is always getting good advice, and so I think that s the question to ask. I think Republicans on Capitol Hill have asked that same question, Is the president getting the best advice with regard to these strategic matters? Esper responded.

A number of Republicans in Washington have expressed concern and frustration with some of Trump s actions in recent weeks, particulary in Iran. Some Senate Republicans are somber and in dismay about the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, which was finalized earlier this week.

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