Rumsfeld, Donald

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Rumsfeld, Donald (1932– ) US statesman, secretary of defense (1975–77, 2001– ). He was first elected to Congress in 1962, resigning (1969) to serve under President Richard Nixon. After acting as Chief of Staff (1974–75) to President Gerald Ford, Rumsfeld became, at age 43, the youngest-ever secretary of defense. He returned to the Pentagon under President George W. Bush.

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