But without unanimous Republican support, a LaNeve nomination won’t advance out of the Senate Armed Services Committee.” ), communicated that he didn’t have the votes to secure approval for LaNeve’s nomination, according to U.S. officials and congressional sources. Like many of the military personnel preferred by Trump, LaNeve has benefited from his perceived political support for the Republican leader. “LaNeve’s reputation for discipline and a chance encounter with President Trump vaulted him into a senior position at the Pentagon last year,” Seligman wrote. Trump’s management of the Defense Department has drawn considerable criticism for being more motivated by politics than merit.