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Mark Green Withdraws Nomination for Secretary of the Army

US army soldiers walk as a NATO helicopter flies overhead at coalition force Forward Operating Base (FOB) Connelly in the Khogyani district in the eastern province of Nangarhar
US army soldiers at coalition force Forward Operating Base Connelly in the Khogyani district in the eastern province of Nangarhar / Getty Images
May 5, 2017

President Donald Trump's pick to be secretary of the Army announced Friday that he is withdrawing his nomination.

Mark Green released a statement with his announcement, CNN reported.

"It is with deep regret today I am withdrawing my nomination to be the secretary of the Army," said Green, a retired Army flight surgeon and West Point graduate. He now serves as a Tennessee state senator.

Green is the second nominee Trump has put forth for the senior civilian leadership post in the Department of Defense.

There was concern surrounding Green's nomination due to past comments he has made on topics like evolution and transgenderism.

"If you poll the psychiatrists, they're going to tell you that transgender is a disease," he previously said, drawing the ire of LGBT groups.

Some felt the Senate would not confirm Green because of his prior remarks.

Green became notable as one of the first Americans to talk extensively to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein after American forces captured him in 2003.