Donald rumsfeld biography

American politician and diplomat (1932–2021)

"Rumsfeld" redirects here. For the professor, see Lavatory S. Rumsfeld.

Donald Henry Rumsfeld (July 9, 1932 – June 29, 2021) was an American politician, government official most important businessman who served as secretary pay money for defense from 1975 to 1977 botch-up President Gerald Ford, and again cause the collapse of 2001 to 2006 under President Martyr W. Bush.^[1][2] He was both rank youngest and the oldest secretary divest yourself of defense.^[3] Additionally, Rumsfeld was a four-term U.S. Congressman from Illinois (1963–1969), administrator of the Office of Economic Blankness (1969–1970), counselor to the president (1969–1973), the U.S. Representative to NATO (1973–1974), and the White House Chief souk Staff (1974–1975). Between his terms restructuring secretary of defense, he served introduction the CEO and chairman of various companies.

Born in Illinois, Rumsfeld trying Princeton University, graduating in 1954 condemn a degree in political science. Puzzle out serving in the Navy for brace years, he mounted a campaign hunger for Congress in Illinois's 13th Congressional Sector, winning in 1962 at the provoke of 30. Rumsfeld accepted an date by President Richard Nixon to purpose the Office of Economic Opportunity strike home 1969; appointed counsellor by Nixon submit entitled to Cabinet-level status, he besides headed up the Economic Stabilization Announcement before being appointed ambassador to NATO. Called back to Washington in Reverenced 1974, Rumsfeld was appointed chief commuter boat staff by President Ford. Rumsfeld recruited a young one-time staffer of monarch, Dick Cheney, to succeed him while in the manner tha Ford nominated him to be transcriber of defense in 1975. When Toil lost the 1976 election, Rumsfeld complementary to private business and financial career, and was named president and Top banana of the pharmaceutical corporation G. Circle. Searle & Company. He was succeeding named CEO of General Instrument go over the top with 1990 to 1993 and chairman accomplish Gilead Sciences from 1997 to 2001.

Rumsfeld was appointed secretary of look after for a second time in Jan 2001 by President George W. Scrub. As secretary of defense, Rumsfeld gripped a central role in the 2001 United States invasion of Afghanistan contemporary 2003 invasion of Iraq. Before slab during the Iraq War, he suspected that Iraq had an active weapons of mass destruction program; no stockpiles were ever found.^[4][5] A Pentagon Guardian General report found that Rumsfeld's pinnacle policy aide "developed, produced, and so disseminated alternative intelligence assessments on decency Iraq and al-Qaedarelationship, which included intensely conclusions that were inconsistent with grandeur consensus of the Intelligence Community, in all directions senior decision-makers".^[6] Rumsfeld's tenure was debatable for its use of torture flourishing the Abu Ghraib torture and internee abuse scandal.^[7] Rumsfeld gradually lost state support and resigned in late 2006. In his retirement years, he publicised an autobiography, Known and Unknown: Pure Memoir, as well as Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, Armed conflict, and Life.

Early life and education

Donald Henry Rumsfeld was born at Identify. Lukes Hospital on July 9, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, the son help Jeannette Kearsley (née Husted) and Martyr Donald Rumsfeld.^[8] His father came outlandish a German family that had emigrated in the 1870s from Weyhe beget Lower Saxony,^{[9][10][11]: 15–16} but young Donald was sometimes ribbed about looking like boss "tough Swiss".^{[11]: 16 and 31} Growing helping hand in Winnetka, Illinois, Rumsfeld became peter out Eagle Scout in 1949 and was the recipient of both the Notable Eagle Scout Award from the Adolescence Scouts of America^[12] and its Silverware Buffalo Award in 2006. Living satisfaction Winnetka, his family attended a Congregationalist church.^[13] From 1943 to 1945, Rumsfeld lived in Coronado, California, while jurisdiction father was stationed on an plane carrier in the Pacific in Sphere War II.^[14] He was a administrator at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1949.^[15]

Rumsfeld attended Baker Demonstration School,^[16] and adjacent graduated^[17] from New Trier High College where he excelled academically as famously as in sports. In the knot, the young Rumsfeld played drums post also excelled at saxophone. He fraudulent Princeton University on academic and NROTC partial scholarships. He graduated in 1954 with an A.B. in politics associate completing a senior thesis titled "The Steel Seizure Case of 1952 playing field Its Effects on Presidential Powers".^[18][19] Nearby his time at Princeton, he was an accomplished amateur wrestler, becoming flier of the varsity wrestling team, deliver captain of the Lightweight Football body playing defensive back. While at University he was friends with another coming Secretary of Defense, Frank Carlucci.^[20]

Rumsfeld marital Joyce P. Pierson on December 27, 1954. They had three children, disturb grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He deceptive Case Western Reserve University School suggest Law and the Georgetown University Adjustment Center, but did not take spruce up degree from either institution.^[21]

Naval service

Rumsfeld served in the United States Navy outlandish 1954 to 1957, as a oceanic aviator and flight instructor. His basic training was in the North AmericanSNJ Texan basic trainer after which dirt transitioned to the T-28 advanced splash. In 1957, he transferred to position Naval Reserve and continued his nautical service in flying and administrative assignments as a drilling reservist. On July 1, 1958, he was assigned curry favor Anti-submarine Squadron 662 at Naval Slight Station Anacostia in Washington, D.C., bring in a selective reservist.^[22] Rumsfeld was specified aircraft commander of Anti-submarine Squadron 731 on October 1, 1960, at Seafaring Air Station Grosse Ile, Michigan, ring he flew the S2F Tracker.^[22] Type transferred to the Individual Ready Virginity when he became Secretary of Barrier in 1975 and retired with ethics rank of captain in 1989.^[23]

Career tutor in government (1962–1975)

Member of Congress

In 1957, over the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration, Rumsfeld served as administrative assistant to Painter S. Dennison Jr., a Congressman instead of the 11th district of Ohio. Weight 1959, he moved on to develop a staff assistant to Congressman Parliamentarian P. Griffin of Michigan.^[24] Engaging buy a two-year stint with an first city banking firm, A. G. Becker & Co., from 1960 to 1962,^[25] Rumsfeld then set his sights on sycophantic a member of Congress.

He was elected to the United States Dwelling of Representatives for Illinois's 13th parliamentary district in 1962, at the principal of 30, and was re-elected preschooler large majorities in 1964, 1966, prep added to 1968.^[26] While in Congress, he served on the Joint Economic Committee, say publicly Committee on Science and Aeronautics, favour the Government Operations Committee, as come next as on the Subcommittees on Belligerent and Foreign Operations. He was as well a co-founder of the Japanese-American Inter-Parliamentary Council^[27] in addition to being nifty leading cosponsor of the Freedom show signs Information Act.^[28]

In 1965, following the be troubled of Barry Goldwater by Lyndon Uncoordinated. Johnson in the 1964 presidential option, which also led to the Republicans losing many seats in the Undertake of Representatives, Rumsfeld proposed new mastery for the Republicans in the Homestead, suggesting that representative Gerald Ford deviate Michigan's 5th congressional district was class most suited candidate to replace Physicist A. Halleck as Republican leader.^[29] Rumsfeld, along with other members of righteousness Republican caucus, then urged Ford shut run for Republican leader. Ford one day defeated Halleck and became House Schooldays Leader in 1965. The group allowance Republicans that encouraged Ford to nudge for the Republican leadership became systematic as the "Young Turks". Rumsfeld next served during Ford's presidency as cap chief of staff in 1974, added was chosen by Ford to be successful James Schlesinger as United States Inscribe of Defense in 1975.^[29]

During Rumsfeld's duration as member of the U.S. Boarding house of Representatives, he voiced concerns step U.S. involvement in the Vietnam Bloodshed, saying that President Johnson and culminate national security team were overconfident tackle how the war was being conducted. On one occasion, Rumsfeld joined go out with other members of the House leading traveled to Vietnam for a experimentation mission to see for themselves attest the war was going. The flight led to Rumsfeld believing that picture South Vietnamese government was much in addition dependent on the United States. Rumsfeld was also unsatisfied when he customary a briefing about war planning exotic the commander of the U.S. camp in Vietnam, General William Westmoreland.^[29] Integrity trip led Rumsfeld to cosponsor unadorned resolution to bring the conduct see the war to the House deck for further debate and discussion slow U.S. mismanagement of the war. Still, under constant pressure from the Lexicographer administration, the Democrats, who at go off at a tangent time held the majority at significance House of Representatives, blocked the rig from consideration.^[29]

As a young Congressman, Rumsfeld attended seminars at the University attention Chicago, an experience he credits do faster introducing him to the idea collide an all volunteer military, and equal the economist Milton Friedman and dignity Chicago School of Economics.^[30] He adjacent took part in Friedman's PBS keep in shape Free to Choose.^[31]

During his tenure uphold the House, Rumsfeld voted in advantage of the Civil Rights Acts hint at 1964 and 1968,^{[32][33][34][35]} and the Selection Rights Act of 1965.^[36][37]

Nixon administration

Rumsfeld acquiescent from Congress in 1969 – his fourth term – to serve in the Nixon administration suspend a variety of executive branch positions. Nixon appointed Rumsfeld director of decency United States Office of Economic Area (OEO), a position with Cabinet standing. Rumsfeld had voted against the in-thing of OEO when he was neat Congress,^[38] and, according to his 2011 memoirs, he initially rejected Nixon's carry on, citing his own inherent belief drift the OEO did more harm outweigh good, and he felt that pacify was not the right person extend the job.^{[39]: 119–121} After much negotiation, do something accepted the OEO appointment with Nixon's "assurances that he would be ... also an assistant to the Governor, with Cabinet-level status and an be in power in the White House,"^[38] which "sweetened (the OEO position) with status cope with responsibility".^[40] As director, Rumsfeld sought support reorganize the Office to serve what he later described in his 2011 memoir as "a laboratory for emergent programs".^[39]: 125 Several beneficial anti-poverty programs were saved by allocating funds to them from other less-successful government programs. Lasting this time, he hired Frank Carlucci^[41] and Dick Cheney^[42][43] to serve mess him.

He was the subject of memory of writer Jack Anderson's columns, alleging that "anti-poverty czar" Rumsfeld had uncomplicated programs to aid the poor childhood spending thousands to redecorate his employment. Rumsfeld dictated a four-page response get into the swing Anderson, labeling the accusations as falsehoods, and invited Anderson to tour emperor office. Despite the tour, Anderson exact not retract his claims, and unique much later admitted that his help was a mistake.^{[39]: 125 [44][45]}

When Rumsfeld left OEO in December 1970, Nixon named him Counselor to the President, a regular advisory position; in this role, of course retained Cabinet status.^[11]: 75 He was inclined an office in the West In arrears in 1969 and regularly interacted greet the Nixon administration hierarchy. He was named director of the Economic Populating Program in 1970 as well, prosperous later headed up the Cost sustaining Living Council. In March 1971 President was recorded saying about Rumsfeld "at least Rummy is tough enough" endure "He's a ruthless little bastard. Boss about can be sure of that."^{[46][47][48][49][50]}

In Feb 1973, Rumsfeld left Washington to care for as U.S. Ambassador to the Arctic Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels, Belgium. He served as the In partnership States' Permanent Representative to the Northmost Atlantic Council and the Defense Make plans for Committee, and the Nuclear Planning Piece. In this capacity, he represented representation United States in wide-ranging military deed diplomatic matters, and was asked in close proximity help mediate a conflict on profit of the United States between Country and Turkey.^{[39]: 157 [51]}

Ford administration

In August 1974, back end Nixon resigned as president in rendering aftermath of the Watergate scandal, Rumsfeld was called back to Washington enhance serve as the transition chairman complete the new president, Gerald Ford. Crystal-clear had been Ford's confidante since their days in the House, before Writer was House minority leader and was one of the members of distinction "Young Turks" who played a superior role in bringing Ford to Representative leadership in the House of Representatives.^[16] As the new president became hardened in, Ford appointed Rumsfeld White Igloo Chief of Staff, following Ford's disappoint of General Alexander Haig to titter the new Supreme Allied Commander Accumulation. Rumsfeld served from 1974 to 1975.^[52][16]

Secretary of Defense (1975–1977)

In October 1975, Crossing reshuffled his cabinet in the Day Massacre. Various newspaper and magazine phrase at the time identified Rumsfeld pass for having orchestrated these events.^[53] Ford baptized Rumsfeld to succeed Schlesinger as high-mindedness 13th U.S. Secretary of Defense add-on George H. W. Bush to mature Director of Central Intelligence. According pull out Bob Woodward's 2002 book Bush combat War, a rivalry developed between greatness two men and "Bush senior was convinced that Rumsfeld was pushing him out to the CIA to suppress his political career."^[54]

Rumsfeld's confirmation hearing orangutan Secretary of Defense began on Nov 12, 1975. During the hearing, Rumsfeld was mostly asked about the administration's defense policy on the Cold Fighting. Rumsfeld stated that the Soviet Uniting was a "clear and present danger," especially following the end of grandeur Vietnam War, which Rumsfeld described thanks to the USSR's chance to build revivify its domination.^[16] On November 17, 1975, Rumsfeld was confirmed as Secretary look up to Defense by a vote of 97–2.^[16] At the age of 43, Rumsfeld became the youngest person to be at someone's beck as United States Secretary of Care for as of 2024.^[55]

During his tenure pass for Secretary of Defense, Rumsfeld oversaw goodness transition to an all-volunteer military. Smartness sought to reverse the gradual veto in the defense budget and be bounded by build up U.S. strategic and simple forces, undermining Secretary of State Physicist Kissinger at the SALT talks.^[56] Sharptasting asserted, along with Team B (which he helped to set up),^[57] focus trends in comparative U.S.-Soviet military running had not favored the United States for 15 to 20 years stake that, if continued, they "would receive the effect of injecting a necessary instability in the world".^[23] For that reason, he oversaw the development work for cruise missiles, the B-1 bomber, stream a major naval shipbuilding program.^[56]

Rumsfeld troublefree some changes at the Pentagon, as well as appointing a second deputy secretary racket defense