Donald Trump has "terminated" Mark Esper, his defence secretary, as White House personnel are told that anyone found to be looking for another job will also be fired. House speaker Nancy Pelosi has accused the president of trying to “sow chaos” in his final days in office. Mr Trump's inner cicle have been told the president is not backing down on his objections to the result of the US presidential election after losing to Joe Biden, — though there is now speculation that were the president leave office, he might run again in 2024.