Mark Green’s confirmation as Donald Trump’s Army Secretary is in serious jeopardy. From USA Today:
Republican Sen. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Tuesday that Army secretary nominee Mark Green’s past comments about gays and lesbians and Muslims are “very concerning” and that Green must explain himself to the committee.
“There’s a lot of controversy concerning his nomination,” McCain, whose committee will be responsible for holding Green’s confirmation hearing, said in a brief interview with USA TODAY. “We are getting some questions from both Republicans and Democrats on the Armed Services Committee. I think there are some issues that clearly need to be cleared up.”
Asked whether he was bothered about Green’s remarks, McCain said, “Of course. Some of the comments that have been attributed to him obviously are very concerning.”
The Washington Blade has more on Green's troubling background in homophobia and transphobia:
Nominated by President Trump last month, Green spearheaded legislation as a Tennessee state legislator that would have barred municipalities from enacting pro-LGBT non-discrimination ordinances and another bill seeking to bar transgender students from using the restroom consistent with their gender identity.
During a town hall event in Tennessee before the Chattanooga Tea Party last year, Green equated being transgender to having a “disease,” a view major medical organizations have rejected. The LGBT media watchdog GLAAD also uncovered audio of Green on an online radio show in which he said he wants to “crush evil” by keeping transgender women from the restroom, comparing them to ISIS.
According to CNN, this would be the third military nominee forced to withdraw from consideration:
Green, a retired Army flight surgeon and West Point grad, was tapped in early April as Trump's pick for Army secretary after billionaire Vincent Viola withdrew over issues related to divesting from his financial holdings.
Philip Bilden, Trump's first pick for Navy secretary, also withdrew over financial issues -- a week after both the White House and Pentagon publicly denied he was dropping out.