'Unite the Right' trial jurors hear closings in Virginia
Lawyers for nine people hurt during the โUnite The Rightโ rally in Charlottesville have told a jury that white nationalists โplanned, executed and then celebratedโ racially motivated violence that left one counterprotester dead and dozens more injured.
Senate votes to confirm Mark Esper as defense secretary
(CNN) - The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to confirm former lobbyist Mark Esper as secretary of defense, according to various media outlets. Esper formally stepped down from his role as acting defense secretary Monday after the Senate received his nomination from the White House to be confirmed for the permanent position. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer has assumed the acting role, making him President Donald Trump's third acting defense secretary this year. He was to serve in that job until Esper's Senate confirmation. The Senate Armed Services Committee announced last week that it would expedite the process to hold a confirmation hearing despite only receiving Esper's formal nomination from the White House on Monday.