Apr 11 Pentagon chief declares 'ironclad' U.S. commitment to Israel By Robert Burns, Associated Press U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday declared an “enduring and ironclad” American commitment to Israel, reinforcing support at a tense time in Israeli politics and amid questions about the Biden administration’s efforts to revive nuclear negotiations with Israel’s archenemy,… Continue reading
Feb 02 Pentagon chief purges defense boards of Trump appointees By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered hundreds of Pentagon advisory board members to resign this month as part of a broad review of the panels, essentially purging several dozen last-minute appointments under the Trump administration. Continue reading
Jan 21 WATCH: House votes on waiver for Biden defense secretary nominee Lloyd Austin By Robert Burns, Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Thursday's 326-78 vote would grant a waiver that would exempt Austin from the seven-year rule. All signs point to quick action in the Senate after that, putting Austin on track to be confirmed as secretary by week's end. Continue reading
Jan 19 WATCH: Gen. Lloyd Austin's full opening statement in Senate confirmation hearing By Associated Press Addressing the Senate Armed Services Committee, Austin, who served 41 years in the Army, vowed to surround himself with qualified civilians and include them in policy decisions. Continue reading
Jan 18 WATCH: Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin's Senate confirmation hearing for defense secretary By Associated Press The Senate typically confirms some nominees, particularly the secretaries of defense, state and treasury, on Inauguration Day, though raw feelings regarding Trump led to Democratic-caused delays four years ago. Continue reading
Dec 07 AP sources: Biden picks Lloyd Austin as secretary of defense By Robert Burns, Michael Balsamo, Jonathan Lemire, Zeke Miller, Associated Press Austin retired from the Army in 2016, which means he would require a congressional waiver of the legal requirement that a former military member be out of uniform for at least seven years before serving as secretary of defense. Continue reading
Dec 03 Biden facing growing pressure over secretary of defense pick By Steve Peoples, Robert Burns, Associated Press Black leaders have encouraged the incoming president to select an African American to diversify what has so far been an all-white prospective Cabinet, while others are pushing him to appoint a woman to lead the Department of Defense for the… Continue reading
Nov 17 Pentagon to cut troop levels to 2,500 in Iraq, Afghanistan By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The new plan will accelerate troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in Trump's final days in office, despite arguments from senior military officials in favor of a more methodical pullout. Continue reading
Nov 09 Trump terminates Secretary of Defense Mark Esper By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press President Donald Trump says he has fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper. It's a stunning move on the heels of Trump’s failed reelection bid. It could also unsettle U.S. allies and partners. Continue reading
Jul 23 Senate confirms Mark Esper as secretary of defense By Robert Burns, Associated Press Mark Esper, an Army veteran and former defense industry lobbyist, won Senate confirmation Tuesday by a vote of 90-8, ending the longest period the Pentagon has gone without a confirmed leader in its history. Continue reading