Four Star General Lloyd Austin Becomes First Black Pentagon Chief
Retired four-star General Lloyd Austin is the first Black Pentagon chief. (Image: Twitter/@flywithkamala)
The Senate has confirmed four star general Lloyd Austin on Jan. 22, making him the nation’s first Black defense secretary.
The Senate voted 93 to 2 to confirm Austin, who had to be granted a special waiver to be confirmed to the position. Under the National Security Act of 1947, Congress prohibits any individual from serving as defense secretary within seven years of active duty service. Since Austin retired in 2006, he needed both the House and Senate to grant him a waiver.