The acting US Defence Secretary has abruptly withdrawn from the nominee process to take on the top role permanently.

Reports say President Donald Trump has pulled Patrick Shanahan from the confirmation process and named Army secretary Mark T. Esper as acting secretary in the interim.

In a written statement released Monday night the acting defense chief referenced a violent domestic dispute from nine years ago with his then-wife.

President Donald Trump then tonight announced Mr Shanahan would be standing down to "spend more time with his family." 

The 2010 incident involving Mr Shanahan's ex-wife formed part of an FBI background investigation into the acting secretary while he was being considered for a possible future confirmation hearing to be Trump's permanent defence chief.

The president had last month announced his intention to nominate Mr Shanahan for the position.

Tonight Trump wrote on Twitter : "Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who has done a wonderful job, has decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family….

"I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!"

Mr Shanahan's full statement published earlier by USA Today said: "After having been confirmed for deputy secretary less than two years ago, it is unfortunate that such a painful and deeply personal family situation from long ago is being dredged up and painted in an incomplete and therefore misleading way as a result of this nomination process.

"Though my marriage ended in sorrow and disappointment, I never laid a hand on my then-wife and cooperated fully in a thorough law enforcement investigation that resulted in her being charged with assault against me—charges which I had dropped in the interest of my family.

"Our story is not dissimilar to those of the many families facing the difficult challenges that come when a loved one struggles with substance abuse and other emotional issues as is the case with my former-wife. 

"I wish nothing but the best for her and regret that my children’s privacy has been violated and they are being forced to relive a tragic situation that we have worked so hard as a family to put behind us."

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