Washington, D.C. — Today, President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team announced the selection of retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to serve as U.S. secretary of defense. In response, Mara Rudman, executive vice president for Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Gen. Austin’s vast knowledge and experience make him the right person to take on the Pentagon’s growing challenges: escalating competition with China, the status of residual combat forces in the Middle East, a new technology wave that moves more operations into the domain of computers, and a deadly pandemic. The president-elect has signaled his confidence in Gen. Austin; it is critical for the commander in chief to have a strong relationship with the senior official responsible for the day-to-day guidance of the armed forces of the United States. And this nomination of the first African American to lead the Defense Department is a long-overdue moment in our nation’s history. African Americans have served in the armed forces with distinction, bravery, and honor both before and after President Harry S. Truman issued the historic 1948 order that prohibited racial segregation in the U.S. military.
Before the Senate can consider Gen. Austin’s nomination, Congress will have to grant an exceptional waiver allowing for a recently retired military officer to serve in the position. The defense secretary nominee will be asked to address restoring the delicate balance between civilian and military leadership at the Pentagon. The next defense secretary should also make it a priority to open more senior policymaking positions to the many qualified women already in national security service.
For more information or to talk to an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.