New Delhi [India], Jan 5 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump dismissed reports suggesting that former secretary of the Navy, Jim Webb, was being considered as the next US Secretary of Defense.

Referring to a New York Times article, Trump said the report of Webb being considered as the next Defense Secretary was "fake news", adding that acting defense secretary Patrick Shanahan was "doing a great job."

"The story in the New York Times regarding Jim Webb being considered as the next Secretary of Defense is FAKE NEWS. I'm sure he is a fine man, but I don't know Jim, and never met him. Patrick Shanahan, who is Acting Secretary of Defense, is doing a great job!" he tweeted on Friday (local time).

Apart from New York Times, a number of media houses had reported that Webb was being considered a replacement to outgoing defense secretary James Mattis.

Mattis had resigned from the post in December last year, citing differences with Trump on major Defence policies.

Currently, Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, is overlooking operations at the Pentagon. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)