Pentagon Says It Is Ready To Defend The Country In Wake Of President's Covid-19 Diagnosis

Washington Post: Pentagon 'stands ready to defend our country' in wake of Trump's diagnosis 

The Pentagon assured the country that the U.S. military stands ready to defend the country and its interests in the wake of President Donald Trump's positive test for the coronavirus, adding that there had been no change to the Department of Defense's alert levels as a result. 

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley last met with Trump on Sunday at a White House event for Gold Start Families who have lost military family members in conflict, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a statement. 

Esper, who is currently traveling in North Africa, tested negative on Monday and Wednesday of this week and would be tested again on Friday, Hoffman said, noting that there were no plans for Esper to return early. Milley was tested Friday morning and his result was negative, Hoffman added. 

"There's been no change to DoD alert levels," Hoffman said. "The U.S. military stands ready to defend our country and interests. There's no change to the readiness or capability of our armed forces. Our national command and control structure is in no way affected by this announcement." 

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WNU Editor: Pentagon officials are rushing to get tested .... Top general negative for coronavirus, Pentagon chief to get tested after Trump result (The Hill). More here .... Top military generals at White House event before Trump COVID-19 (Business Insider).

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