By TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has named an acting defense secretary because his , has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.

choice to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth

Robert Salesses, deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, will fill in as acting secretary of defense, two officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an announcement that was not yet public.

To , the incoming Trump administration needed a senior executive at the Pentagon who has already been confirmed by the Senate. Salesses is a retired Marine who served in the Gulf War and earned a Bronze Star.

serve in the post

He had been leading the Washington Headquarters Service, which includes all of the capital region support services, including facilities management and the office of general counsel and others that support the military branches and Pentagon leadership.

Hegseth could see his nomination advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee as early as Monday, but because of the number of nominees that need to be approved, the full Senate may not take up his nomination until later this week.