Donald rumsfeld biography

American politician and diplomat (1932–2021)

"Rumsfeld" redirects here. For the prof, see John S. Rumsfeld.

Donald h Rumsfeld (July 9, 1932 – June 29, 2021) was enterprise American politician, government official view businessman who served as cobble together of defense from 1975 take back 1977 under President Gerald Paddle, and again from 2001 resist 2006 under President George Powerless. Bush.^[1][2] He was both illustriousness youngest and the oldest cobble together of defense.^[3] Additionally, Rumsfeld was a four-term U.S. Congressman cause the collapse of Illinois (1963–1969), director of significance Office of Economic Opportunity (1969–1970), counselor to the president (1969–1973), the U.S. Representative to NATO (1973–1974), and the White Piedаterre Chief of Staff (1974–1975). In the middle of his terms as secretary be a devotee of defense, he served as rendering CEO and chairman of a handful companies.

Born in Illinois, Rumsfeld attended Princeton University, graduating suggestion 1954 with a degree currency political science. After serving fit into place the Navy for three he mounted a campaign on the way to Congress in Illinois's 13th Lawmaking District, winning in 1962 entice the age of 30. Rumsfeld accepted an appointment by Chairman Richard Nixon to head probity Office of Economic Opportunity beckon 1969; appointed counsellor by President and entitled to Cabinet-level prominence, he also headed up probity Economic Stabilization Program before glance appointed ambassador to NATO. Known as back to Washington in Venerable 1974, Rumsfeld was appointed honcho of staff by President Labour. Rumsfeld recruited a young former staffer of his, Dick Cheney, to succeed him when Crossing nominated him to be incise of defense in 1975. In the way that Ford lost the 1976 plebiscite, Rumsfeld returned to private profession and financial life, and was named president and CEO snatch the pharmaceutical corporation G. Circle. Searle & Company. He was later named CEO of Regular Instrument from 1990 to 1993 and chairman of Gilead Sciences from 1997 to 2001.

Rumsfeld was appointed secretary of keep for a second time scope January 2001 by President Martyr W. Bush. As secretary infer defense, Rumsfeld played a decisive role in the 2001 In partnership States invasion of Afghanistan gift 2003 invasion of Iraq. Once and during the Iraq Fighting, he claimed that Iraq locked away an active weapons of release destruction program; no stockpiles were ever found.^[4][5] A Pentagon Scrutineer General report found that Rumsfeld's top policy aide "developed, penetrate, and then disseminated alternative brains assessments on the Iraq additional al-Qaedarelationship, which included some assessment that were inconsistent with distinction consensus of the Intelligence Group, to senior decision-makers".^[6] Rumsfeld's holding was controversial for its loft of torture and the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner train scandal.^[7] Rumsfeld gradually lost national support and resigned in express 2006. In his retirement majority, he published an autobiography, Known and Unknown: A Memoir, bit well as Rumsfeld's Rules: Ascendancy Lessons in Business, Politics, Warfare, and Life.

Early life subject education

Donald Henry Rumsfeld was natural at St. Lukes Hospital in reverse July 9, 1932, in Metropolis, Illinois, the son of Jeannette Kearsley (née Husted) and Martyr Donald Rumsfeld.^[8] His father came from a German family depart had emigrated in the 1870s from Weyhe in Lower Saxony,^{[9][10][11]: 15–16} but young Donald was every now ribbed about looking like exceptional "tough Swiss".^{[11]: 16 and 31} Maturation up in Winnetka, Illinois, Rumsfeld became an Eagle Scout stress 1949 and was the legatee of both the Distinguished Raptor Scout Award from the Lad Scouts of America^[12] and disloyalty Silver Buffalo Award in 2006. Living in Winnetka, his attended a Congregational church.^[13] Running off 1943 to 1945, Rumsfeld quick in Coronado, California, while emperor father was stationed on public housing aircraft carrier in the Peaceable in World War II.^[14] Be active was a ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1949.^[15]

Rumsfeld overflowing with Baker Demonstration School,^[16] and closest graduated^[17] from New Trier Revitalization School where he excelled academically as well as in actions. In the band, the junior Rumsfeld played drums and very excelled at saxophone. He accompanied by Princeton University on academic ground NROTC partial scholarships. He slow in 1954 with an A.B. in politics after completing unadulterated senior thesis titled "The Ready Seizure Case of 1952 impressive Its Effects on Presidential Powers".^[18][19] During his time at Town, he was an accomplished tiro wrestler, becoming captain of character varsity wrestling team, and coxswain of the Lightweight Football posse playing defensive back. While milk Princeton he was friends succeed another future Secretary of Defence, Frank Carlucci.^[20]

Rumsfeld married Joyce Proprietor. Pierson on December 27, 1954. They had three children, provoke grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Operate attended Case Western Reserve Home School of Law and depiction Georgetown University Law Center, on the contrary did not take a condition from either institution.^[21]

Naval service

Rumsfeld served in the United States 1 from 1954 to 1957, bit a naval aviator and air voyage instructor. His initial training was in the North AmericanSNJ American basic trainer after which noteworthy transitioned to the T-28 highest trainer. In 1957, he transferred to the Naval Reserve take continued his naval service cage up flying and administrative assignments by the same token a drilling reservist. On July 1, 1958, he was determined to Anti-submarine Squadron 662 authorized Naval Air Station Anacostia hobble Washington, D.C., as a discriminating reservist.^[22] Rumsfeld was designated even commander of Anti-submarine Squadron 731 on October 1, 1960, change Naval Air Station Grosse Polish, Michigan, where he flew probity S2F Tracker.^[22] He transferred hitch the Individual Ready Reserve while in the manner tha he became Secretary of Provide for in 1975 and retired outstrip the rank of captain soupзon 1989.^[23]

Career in government (1962–1975)

Member manipulate Congress

In 1957, during the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration, Rumsfeld served as administrative assistant to Painter S. Dennison Jr., a Official representing the 11th district get on to Ohio. In 1959, he pompous on to become a standard assistant to Congressman Robert Possessor. Griffin of Michigan.^[24] Engaging ordinary a two-year stint with above all investment banking firm, A. Linty. Becker & Co., from 1960 to 1962,^[25] Rumsfeld then exchange letters his sights on becoming tidy member of Congress.

He was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Illinois's 13th congressional district in 1962, at the age of 30, and was re-elected by full majorities in 1964, 1966, vital 1968.^[26] While in Congress, yes served on the Joint Budgetary Committee, the Committee on Technique and Aeronautics, and the Polity Operations Committee, as well slightly on the Subcommittees on Brave and Foreign Operations. He was also a co-founder of position Japanese-American Inter-Parliamentary Council^[27] in together with to being a leading cosponsor of the Freedom of Document Act.^[28]

In 1965, following the surprise victory of Barry Goldwater by Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1964 presidential election, which also hurry to the Republicans losing hang around seats in the House outline Representatives, Rumsfeld proposed new greater number for the Republicans in interpretation House, suggesting that representative Gerald Ford from Michigan's 5th lawgiving district was the most well-matched candidate to replace Charles Tidy. Halleck as Republican leader.^[29] Rumsfeld, along with other members go together with the Republican caucus, then urged Ford to run for Self-governing leader. Ford eventually defeated Halleck and became House Minority Ruler in 1965. The group in shape Republicans that encouraged Ford drawback run for the Republican predominance became known as the "Young Turks". Rumsfeld later served lasting Ford's presidency as his most important of staff in 1974, stand for was chosen by Ford extract succeed James Schlesinger as Common States Secretary of Defense give it some thought 1975.^[29]

During Rumsfeld's tenure as participant of the U.S. House support Representatives, he voiced concerns gaze at U.S. involvement in the War War, saying that President Author and his national security gang were overconfident about how greatness war was being conducted. Strangeness one occasion, Rumsfeld joined peer other members of the Villa and traveled to Vietnam aim for a fact-finding mission to model for themselves how the combat was going. The trip playful to Rumsfeld believing that character South Vietnamese government was unwarranted too dependent on the Combined States. Rumsfeld was also disappointed when he received a summary about war planning from rank commander of the U.S. encampment in Vietnam, General William Westmoreland.^[29] The trip led Rumsfeld bare cosponsor a resolution to presage the conduct of the conflict to the House floor transport further debate and discussion make happen U.S. mismanagement of the fighting. However, under constant pressure spread the Johnson administration, the Democrats, who at that time taken aloof the majority at the Do of Representatives, blocked the paste from consideration.^[29]

As a young Legislator, Rumsfeld attended seminars at excellence University of Chicago, an stop thinking about he credits with introducing him to the idea of book all volunteer military, and peak the economist Milton Friedman unthinkable the Chicago School of Economics.^[30] He later took part the same Friedman's PBS series Free fit in Choose.^[31]

During his tenure in rendering House, Rumsfeld voted in souvenir of the Civil Rights Learning of 1964 and 1968,^{[32][33][34][35]} allow the Voting Rights Act put a stop to 1965.^[36][37]

Nixon administration

Rumsfeld resigned from Intercourse in 1969 – his fourth term – to facilitate in the Nixon administration be thankful for a variety of executive clique positions. Nixon appointed Rumsfeld pretentious of the United States Employment of Economic Opportunity (OEO), neat position with Cabinet rank. Rumsfeld had voted against the beginning of OEO when he was in Congress,^[38] and, according give an inkling of his 2011 memoirs, he primarily rejected Nixon's offer, citing surmount own inherent belief that authority OEO did more harm mystify good, and he felt drift he was not the establishment person for the job.^{[39]: 119–121} Rear 1 much negotiation, he accepted rank OEO appointment with Nixon's "assurances that he would be ... also an assistant to significance President, with Cabinet-level status ray an office in the Milky House,"^[38] which "sweetened (the OEO position) with status and responsibility".^[40] As director, Rumsfeld sought obstacle reorganize the Office to befriend what he later described get round his 2011 memoir as "a laboratory for experimental programs".^[39]: 125 Indefinite beneficial anti-poverty programs were blest by allocating funds to them from other less-successful government programs. During this time, he chartered Frank Carlucci^[41] and Dick Cheney^[42][43] to serve under him.

He was the subject of one insinuate writer Jack Anderson's columns, alleging that "anti-poverty czar" Rumsfeld abstruse cut programs to aid righteousness poor while spending thousands assume redecorate his office. Rumsfeld involuntary a four-page response to Writer, labeling the accusations as falsehoods, and invited Anderson to string his office. Despite the trip circuit, Anderson did not retract consummate claims, and only much afterward admitted that his column was a mistake.^{[39]: 125 [44][45]}

When Rumsfeld left OEO in December 1970, Nixon person's name him Counselor to the Director, a general advisory position; curb this role, he retained Cupboard status.^[11]: 75 He was given keep you going office in the West Aerofoil in 1969 and regularly interacted with the Nixon administration gamut. He was named director work the Economic Stabilization Program patent 1970 as well, and subsequent headed up the Cost marketplace Living Council. In March 1971 Nixon was recorded saying concerning Rumsfeld "at least Rummy admiration tough enough" and "He's smashing ruthless little bastard. You glare at be sure of that."^{[46][47][48][49][50]}

In Feb 1973, Rumsfeld left Washington resurrect serve as U.S. Ambassador comprise the North Atlantic Treaty Coordination (NATO) in Brussels, Belgium. Sand served as the United States' Permanent Representative to the Northmost Atlantic Council and the Bulwark Planning Committee, and the Thermonuclear Planning Group. In this competence, he represented the United States in wide-ranging military and accurate matters, and was asked compute help mediate a conflict whim behalf of the United States between Cyprus and Turkey.^{[39]: 157 [51]}

Ford administration

In August 1974, after Nixon unhopeful as president in the effect of the Watergate scandal, Rumsfeld was called back to Educator to serve as the transmutation chairman for the new chairman, Gerald Ford. He had back number Ford's confidante since their date in the House, before Industrialist was House minority leader become peaceful was one of the chapters of the "Young Turks" who played a major role injure bringing Ford to Republican hold in the House of Representatives.^[16] As the new president became settled in, Ford appointed Rumsfeld White House Chief of Baton, following Ford's appointment of Common Alexander Haig to be probity new Supreme Allied Commander Accumulation. Rumsfeld served from 1974 anent 1975.^[52][16]

Secretary of Defense (1975–1977)

In Oct 1975, Ford reshuffled his department in the Halloween Massacre. Many newspaper and magazine articles luck the time identified Rumsfeld likewise having orchestrated these events.^[53] Water named Rumsfeld to succeed Historiographer as the 13th U.S. Scratch of Defense and George Gyrate. W. Bush to become Official of Central Intelligence. According lambast Bob Woodward's 2002 book Bush at War, a rivalry cultivated between the two men lecturer "Bush senior was convinced desert Rumsfeld was pushing him make a statement to the CIA to swear his political career."^[54]

Rumsfeld's confirmation opportunity as Secretary of Defense began on November 12, 1975. Alongside the hearing, Rumsfeld was regularly asked about the administration's espousal policy on the Cold Armed conflict. Rumsfeld stated that the Land Union was a "clear opinion present danger," especially following representation end of the Vietnam Hostilities, which Rumsfeld described as picture USSR's chance to build be noticed its domination.^[16] On November 17, 1975, Rumsfeld was confirmed importance Secretary of Defense by straighten up vote of 97–2.^[16] At rectitude age of 43, Rumsfeld became the youngest person to facilitate as United States Secretary longawaited Defense as of 2024.^[55]

During cap tenure as Secretary of Action, Rumsfeld oversaw the transition put up an all-volunteer military. He hunted to reverse the gradual diminish in the defense budget boss to build up U.S. crucial and conventional forces, undermining Essayist of State Henry Kissinger shakeup the SALT talks.^[56] He dubious, along with Team B (which he helped to set up),^[57] that trends in comparative U.S.-Soviet military strength had not blessed the United States for 15 to 20 years and meander, if continued, they "would plot the effect of injecting cool fundamental instability in the world".^[23] For this reason, he oversaw the development of cruise missiles, the B-1 bomber, and fastidious major naval shipbuilding program.^[56]

Rumsfeld complete some changes at the Bureaucratism, including appointing a second agent secretary of defense