In a striking career move, Mark Esper, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and outspoken Trump critic, has joined the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs as a senior adviser. While not a lawyer himself, Esper’s expertise in national security and defense positions him to guide corporate leaders through an increasingly fraught geopolitical landscape.
After being dismissed by Trump shortly after the 2020 election, Esper distanced himself from his former boss, publicly questioning Trump’s integrity. Esper’s criticism extended further in 2022 when he openly rebuked the ex-president, asserting that Trump prioritized personal interests over national security.
Esper, who currently chairs the national security practice at venture capital firm Red Cell Partners, has continued to play a prominent role in the political sphere. Earlier this month, he lent his support to Trump’s political rival for the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris, joining a cohort of senior former military officials backing her candidacy.
Squire Patton Boggs hailed Esper’s appointment, emphasizing the valuable insights he brings in navigating global security risks. As international tensions mount, his advisory role is poised to become indispensable to the firm’s clientele, particularly those grappling with mounting national security concerns.
Esper’s time in government was marked by numerous high-stakes moments, including rejecting Trump’s proposition to launch missile strikes into Mexico to target drug cartels, a plan Esper denounced as illegal and potentially catastrophic.
His addition to Squire Patton Boggs underscores the law firm’s increasing focus on addressing the evolving security challenges faced by corporate clients, an area in which Esper’s experience is expected to shine.
