Trump Army secretary nominee withdraws over "misleading attacks"

Mark Green -- President Donald Trump's pick for Army secretary -- withdrew his nomination Friday, amid anger from LGBT groups and Democrats over comments he has made about things including transgender issues, Islam and evolution. 

"It is with deep regret today I am withdrawing my nomination to be the Secretary of the Army," Green, a GOP Tennessee state senator, said in a statement obtained by CBS News' Chief White House Correspondent Major Garrett.

"I am honored that President Trump nominated me for this position," Green continued. "I appreciate his support and confidence in me, as well as that of Secretary Mattis and many others, and their desire to Make America Great Again by preparing our military to face the many challenges in the world for the safety and security of our nation. But to meet these challenges, there should be no distractions. And unfortunately due to false and misleading attacks against me this nomination has become a distraction."

Green was under fire for comments on a radio program in which he called Syrian refugees -- in his words, "ISIS people" — and fights for transgender bathroom access, "evil." Green in a 2013 Facebook post also reportedly complained that President Barack Obama "supports transvestites in uniform." Green defended himself against backlash in a Facebook post last month, saying that "certain people are cutting and splicing my words to paint me as a hater."

Green is the second Army secretary nominated by Mr. Trump to withdraw. Mr. Trump's previous pick for Army secretary, billionaire Vincent Viola, withdrew his nomination in February, citing difficulties in divesting his financial portfolio. 

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