The Senate confirmed Lloyd Austin as the next Pentagon chief Friday, making him America’s first Black defense secretary.
The Senate overwhelmingly voted 93 to 2 to confirm Austin.
It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position. Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/qPAzVRxz9L
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) January 22, 2021
Earlier on Thursday, both chambers of Congress approved a waiver that allows Austin, 67, to serve as defense secretary despite being retired from active-duty military service for less than the seven years required by law.
Austin served in the armed forces for more than four decades, retiring in 2016 after serving as the first Black leader of US Central Command.
