At DoD, a History-Making Confirmation
Retired US Army GEN Lloyd Austin made history Friday by becoming America’s first Black secretary of defense. In his Day One Message to the Force he said he was “proud to be back on your team.”
New Faces, New Policies, New Administration
President Joe Biden was expected to quickly sign executive orders on the coronavirus, immigration, and climate following an inauguration completed under unprecedented security. Before inauguration Biden already had new faces in DoD, worried Wall Street, and ask for another DefSec waiver.
Inauguration Day: What It Took to Get Here
Welcome to Inauguration Day, being held this year amid a pandemic and unprecedented threats of violence as Joe Biden becomes president of the United States and Kamala Harris enters history as the first female vice president of the US. Some of the road and bridge closures and other accommodations are reported here.
Norquist to Be Acting DefSec After Inauguration
David Norquist will serve as acting secretary of defense for the start of the Biden administration. Deputy DefSec since July 2019, Mr. Norquist will be in charge until the Senate confirms retired Army GEN Lloyd Austin for the position.
Morning Coffee Is Off the Burner
Morning Coffee is off the burner today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will be back percolating Tuesday, January 19.
2nd DefSec Waiver Faces Struggle
The principle of civilian control of the military is at stake, say an increasing number of Democrats opposed to a waiver that would allow President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Secretary of Defense to move forward. The US DefSec must be separated seven years from the military. GEN Lloyd Austin retired four years ago. The same waiver was sought by President Trump and received for former DefSec James Mattis.
Riot & Inauguration Put Pentagon in Crosshairs
Accusations of participation, culpability, hate mongering, and escalated threats of violence rain upon the US military as Congress, National Guard across the nation, and corporate America come to terms with the breaching of the US Capitol last week and protecting the inauguration of a new US president next week.
Timeline on Vote for New DefSec Unclear
The Senate Armed Services Committee is planning a confirmation hearing at 3 pm Jan. 19 for GEN Lloyd Austin, the Biden administration’s choice for secretary of defense. A timeline for any vote has not yet been established.
1st Step Taken in Renaming Bases, Ships With Confederate Names
The first members of the commission to rename at least 10 Army bases and possibly two Navy ships that honor the Confederacy have been appointed by acting DefSec Christopher Miller.
US Finds Russia ‘Likely’ Behind Cyberhack
The entire US intelligence committee confirms the massive cyber-attack on the US ‘likely’ came from Russia. The FBI, CISA, ODNI, and NSA are working in concert to remediate the attacks.
