President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Army suddenly withdrew himself from consideration Friday, citing his inability to distance himself from his business interests.
Vincent Viola, a former Army officer and current billionaire, was attempting to navigate strict Department of Defense rules governing private interests in order to take the post since December, Military Times reports. The nomination of Viola and several other defense nominees reportedly infuriated Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who was sworn in two weeks ago.
“I appreciate the confidence President Trump showed in me,” said Viola in a statement Friday. “I offer my continued support for President Trump and his administration, and look forward to redoubling my efforts to support the Army and its veterans as private citizens.”
Viola ran into trouble early on when news surfaced of an allegation that he had once tried to punch out a concessions worker at a horse auction. Mattis, for his part, was reportedly upset with Viola’s appointment from the moment the Army nomination made headlines, and even threatened to quit, CNN reports. Mattis found out about the nomination from the media, after the Trump campaign had promised he could have a major hand in the nomination of top leaders, an anonymous source told the Washington Post’s Josh Rogin in January.
“Mattis was furious,” the source told the Washington Post Jan. 6. “It made him suspicious of the transition team, and things devolved from there.”
Mattis announced his support for Viola unequivocally Jan. 25. and was reportedly disappointed that Viola decided to drop out, according to a Pentagon statement provided to The Daily Caller News Foundation Friday.
“Secretary Mattis is disappointed but understands and respects Mr. Viola’s decision,” said the statement. “The Secretary is confident that Mr. Viola will remain a stalwart supporter of America’s soldiers. The Secretary will recommend to the President another candidate soon.”
The secretary of defense has clashed with the Trump transition team over other appointments as well, having rejected all candidates for undersecretary of defense for intelligence, according to Rogin.
After attending the United States Military Academy at Westpoint, Viola qualified as a Ranger and served with the 101st Airborne division. Upon leaving the Army, he went on to become a successful businessman, once chairing the New York Mercantile Exchange. Viola went on to found Virtu Financial, a digital stock trading company, and currently owns the Florida Panthers hockey team.
Viola planned to give ownership of the team to his family and hand over operations to his vice chairman, but his plan did not meet the Pentagon’s requirements, according to a report by Military Times.
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