Trump nominee for navy secretary withdraws

Philip Bilden, president Donald Trump’s nominee for the secretary of the U.S. Navy has withdrawn himself from consideration, citing privacy and financial sacrifices as the main reason behind the decision.

In statements on Sunday, both he and U.S. Secretary of Defense James Matis confirmed the withdrawal.

Bilden said divesting from his family business would be difficult and that he would be unable to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without disruption.

SECDEF Matis said that he would recommend a new nominee Trump in the coming days.

Bilden was nominated for the role of secretary of defense on January 25 and withdrew just a week after the White House said he was 100 percent committed to the role.

On February 18, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tweeted to confirm Bilden as the SECNAV nominee countering a CBS News report that said Bilden would withdraw.

Those people would be wrong. Just spoke with him and he is 100% commited to being the next SECNAV pending Senate confirm. https://t.co/AfRZfQQCzG

— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) February 18, 2017

Bilden is the second service nominee to withdraw after Vincent Viola withdrew as Army secretary nominee earlier this month. Viola also cited finances as the main reason for his decision as he reckoned he would have difficulties disengaging with his business ties.