Pentagon official resigns after Trump purges defense board and fills it with loyalists

A Pentagon official who survived Donald Trump's purge of top defense officials has resigned and denounced the president.

Steve Blank was one of the only people on the Defense Business Board who survived Mr Trump's firing spree of Pentagon officials. The president replaced nine members of the board with his own loyalists, including people like former Trump campaign staffer David Bossie and his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski.

Chris Miller, the acting Secretary of Defense - himself a Trump loyalist installed to replace Mark Esper - said he was "proud to welcome each of these new members to the Defense Business Board" and that "these individuals have a proven record of achievement within their respective fields and have demonstrated leadership that will serve our Department, and our nation well" in a statement.

Mr Blank refused to continue serving on the board once it had been filled with presidential yes-men.