Due to a Republican senator’s refusal to cease his blockage of military nominees, a significant branch of the US military is operating without an elected leader in the Senate for the very first time in over a century.
Gen. David Berger, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, handed up leadership on Monday during a private retirement celebration and over forty years of duty. Due to Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville’s block on senior military appointments, it wasn’t yet officially verified that his successor, Gen. Eric Smith, would take office.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin specifically brought up the ban and its effects on “stable and lawful leadership transfers” and military families during his remarks at Berger’s transfer of command ceremony on Monday.
Austin stated, “We share an obligation of faith to do well by people who choose to put on the clothes of our country. And I still have faith that all Americans will unite over this basic duty to the people who keep us secure.