Austin confirmed as new defense secretary in historic vote
The former head of U.S. Central Command is the first Black defense secretary in American history.
The former head of U.S. Central Command is the first Black defense secretary in American history.
According to critics, that damage includes a failed effort to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census questionnaire and a Trump order to figure out who is a citizen and who is in the U.S. illegally.
President Joe Biden is moving swiftly to dismantle Donald Trump's legacy on his first day in office, signing a series of executive actions that reverse course on immigration, climate change, racial equity and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kathleen McGettigan will once again lead the Office of Personnel Management in an acting capacity while the new president works to get permanent leadership confirmed.
U.S. Census Bureau director Steven Dillingham said in a statement that he would resign on Wednesday, the day Trump leaves the White House and President-elect Joseph Biden takes office.
The three current service comptrollers will serve as acting secretaries as well.
President-elect Joe Biden’s first defense secretary may turn out to be President Donald Trump’s last deputy defense secretary, at least for a several days.
Short-term leaders have famously caused long-term problems for getting work done in government.
Another Trump administration national security aide has resigned in the wake of violence at the U.S. Capitol.
President-elect Joe Biden is pressuring on Congress to quickly confirm his nominees for national security roles, but it appears the congressional calendar won’t permit his pick for defense secretary to be in place on Day One.