“Austin is a very experienced and respected commander who has served with honors in several key positions at the Pentagon,” Biden said.
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Michèle Flournoy, originally estimated to have been named Secretary of Defense by Hillary Clinton, would have won the presidency if she had won the presidential election four years ago. However, according to Politico magazine, Biden faced increasing pressure to nominate a dark-skinned American for defense minister.
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Sixty-seven-year-old Austin is a former commander of American forces in the Middle East. Former Pentagon spokesman Politico said Biden’s team saw Austin as a safe choice. The retired general is considered a “good soldier” to carry out the agenda of the elected president. The source said that compared to Flournoy, Austin’s appointment would not cause such tension.
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However, security experts point out that less than seven years have passed since Austin’s military service, which means that he could become Secretary of Defense only if Congress grants him an exemption. This would be the second time in four years, the first to be received by another former US commander in the Middle East, Jim Mattis, who in 2017 became President Donald Trump’s first Secretary of Defense.
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Biden said Monday that he could also announce his choice of justice minister this week. He wants to inform about Christmas about other vacant positions by Christmas.
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