Cabinet adds historic confirmation
Retired Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, bumping elbows with Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist, is the first Black secretary of Defense after the Senate confirmed his nomination on a 93-2 vote.
WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed Lloyd J. Austin III as Defense secretary Friday, putting a Black American in charge of the Pentagon for the first time by a vote of 93 to 2.
Austin, a retired fourstar Army general who commanded U.S. forces in the Middle East, is the second member of President Biden’s Cabinet to be approved by the Senate. Avril Haines was confirmed as director of national intelligence on Wednesday after Biden’s swearing-in, and votes are expected on several other Cabinet members soon.
Austin was quickly sworn in at the Pentagon and received a briefing on actions against the spread of COVID-19.
“You have already come to the aid of our nation’s healthcare professionals. You can expect that mission to continue,” he said in a message to Defense Department staff. “But we must help the federal government move further and faster to eradicate the devastating effects of the coronavirus.”
He also faces possible actions that include further troop drawdowns in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and countering China in East Asia. And he’ll have to work on easing tensions with allies in Europe and Asia over U.S. defense commitments; those relations frayed considerably under President Trump.
Austin will also focus on rebuilding the Pentagon’s civilian workforce. Under Trump, many jobs remained vacant or were filled by acting officials who never were formally nominated and confirmed.
The Senate debate on Austin’s nomination lasted only 10 minutes. Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Josh Hawley of Missouri voted against him.
Austin’s speedy approval came despite some lawmakers’ concerns that putting a recently retired officer in charge of the armed forces might further weaken the nation’s principle of civilian control of the military.
Austin reassured lawmakers that he understood his role as a civilian official would require him to be independent of the armed services in advising Biden.
The House and Senate voted Thursday to waive a law that requires former officers to have been out of uniform at least seven years before becoming Defense secretary. Austin retired in 2016.
A native of Georgia, he was a surprise choice. But Biden got to know him while vice president and reportedly came to admire his publicity-averse style and willingness to carry out White House decisions even if he disagreed.
Biden’s late son, Beau, served on the general’s staff in Iraq, and they stayed in touch afterward.