Biden Picks First Black Secretary Of Defence
United States President-elect Joe Biden has chosen retired General Lloyd Austin, to be his defence secretary, two people familiar with the decision said on Monday.
Mr. Austin, who oversaw U.S. forces in the Middle East under President Barack Obama, would be the first Black U.S. secretary of defence.
His choice comes as a surprise as Michele Flournoy, a former top Defence Department official was being touted as the leading contender for the job.
Ms. Flournoy would have been the first woman defence secretary.
The news was first reported by Politico.
Mr. Austin, who retired in 2016, will need a waiver from Congress since it has been less than the required seven years since he served.
He would be the second Pentagon chief in four years to need a waiver, after President Donald Trump picked James Mattis, a retired Marine general, to be his first defence secretary.
The nomination of Mr. Austin, who headed U.S. Central Command under Obama, could draw fire from some progressive groups given his role in retirement on the board of a number of companies, including weapons maker Raytheon Technologies Corp.
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