The Lacuna Project

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Exhibit 359

Transcript: Warren questions Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper on Raytheon recusal (SASC, 16 July 2019)

Exhibit 359 ยท Congressional hearing transcript

Transcript: Warren questions Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper on Raytheon recusal (SASC, 16 July 2019)

Uh, no Senator, I won't.

Warren asks Esper to extend his Raytheon recusal for his full tenure and to agree not to seek waivers. Esper declines both, citing Pentagon ethics advice and a SOCO letter saying he never sought or received a waiver.

Source
Senator Elizabeth Warren (posted transcript of Senate Armed Services Committee hearing)
Date
16 July 2019
Quoted from
Transcript, Warren-Esper exchange
Grade
Reported
Document
https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-questions-defense-secretary-nominee-mark-espers-refusal-to-fully-recuse-himself-from-matters-involving-his-former-employer-raytheon/
Accessed
2026-11-09
Cited by
Findings citing this exhibit

Cited by

Finding DEF-4.8
Primary record Four officials who came to the Pentagon from contractor roles stated their recusal terms in their own agreements: Shanahan (Boeing), for the duration of his service; Esper (Raytheon), one year, with a continuing limit tied to his deferred compensation; Mattis (General Dynamics), one year; and Austin (Raytheon Technologies), four years. The DoD Inspector General investigated 2019 allegations that Shanahan promoted Boeing and did not substantiate any of them.