In that instance firing or resignation of SecDef , the responsibilityobligation to confirm the order would fall to the Deputy Secretary of Defense assuming the President does not immediately name a new Secretary . Basically , the President can keep firingappointing people until someone fulfills the duty to confirm . To be brutally technical here and set aside the massive moral implications , this is a responsibilityduty of the SecDef position and not the two man situation some people hopebelieve it is . It is absolutely not consultative or optional . If the Secretary does not cooperate , POTUS can dismiss him and keep saying to each successor , do your job or you ' re fired . <| sep |> Cool trick thx I ' ll give it a try next time .