Here’s what it’s like to watch your dad get publicly fired by Donald Trump. Writer Sean Kernan delves into the backstory behind the abrupt decision by his father, Joseph Kernan, to leave his post as undersecretary of defense for intelligence in the Defense Department. The senior Kernan was one of several top Pentagon officials to either leave or get pushed out last week; all were replaced by Trump loyalists. Sean said his father’s resignation letter had been prepared for weeks, but after Trump unexpectedly fired Defense Secretary Mike Esper last Monday, his successor was quick to clean house.