Trump choice as Navy chief drops from consideration

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s choice to be secretary of the Navy, Philip Bilden, said Sunday he was withdrawing from consideration, citing concerns about privacy and separating himself from his business interests.

Bilden’s withdrawal raises similar issues to that of Vincent Viola, Trump’s nominee for Army secretary who stepped aside earlier this month.

Bilden was an intelligence officer in the Army Reserve from1986 to 1996. He relocated to Hong Kong to set up an Asian presence for Harbour Vest Partners LLC, a global private equity management firm. Bilden recently retired from Harbour Vest Partners after 25 years.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement that he would make a recommendation to Trump for a nominee in the coming days.