At the same time, Biden’s team was slow to send the general’s financial disclosure forms to the Capitol for verification, which they did only on Friday. These delays caused the confirmations of many of the first Trump administration officials to linger.
The Presidential Transition
Many lawmakers from both parties refused to have another ex-general leading the Pentagon in a nation that has a long tradition of civilian control of the military, which has been severely tested under Trump’s presidency.
Although Congress passed a similar measure four years ago for Trump’s first defense secretary, Jim Mattis, a retired four-star Navy officer, many are reluctant to do it again.
“Civilian control of apolitical military personnel is a fundamental principle, inscribed in our Constitution and absolutely essential for our democracy,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, who announced on Friday that he would vote against the resignation. “If a waiver of the rule that protects this principle is passed twice in four years, both in the Republican and Democratic governments, it becomes a norm, not an exception.”
Various civil rights groups, as well as many members of Congressional Black Caucus, argued that even members of Congress who refused to give Mattis approval should not block what would be the first black defense secretary in the country’s history, and act quickly to approve your resignation.
“As the first black secretary of defense, General Austin, who broke barriers throughout his career, would lead the most diverse military in our nation’s history,” Rep. Anthony G. Brown, Maryland Democrat and vice president of the committee of the Chamber, said in an email.
“Our country faces enormous national security challenges,” he added. “From a shocking attack on the Capitol and our democracy, an unprecedented cyber attack on government institutions and growing global threats, President-elect Biden will need a national security team ready to address these threats and renew American leadership. Designated secretary Lloyd Austin will be instrumental in this effort. The House and Senate must move as quickly as possible to examine and discuss an exemption for General Austin. “