Lloyd Austin

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Lloyd Austin
Image of Lloyd Austin
Prior offices
U.S. Secretary of Defense
Successor: Robert Salesses
Predecessor: David Norquist

Lloyd J. Austin III was the secretary of defense in the Biden administration from 2021 to 2025. The Senate confirmed Austin on January 22, 2021, by a vote of 93-2, making him the first Black secretary of defense in U.S. history.[1]

Austin said in his opening statement at his confirmation hearing, "I know that being a member of the president’s Cabinet—a political appointee—requires a different perspective and unique duties from a career in uniform. So, if confirmed, you can expect me to empower my civilian staff. ... I will also take seriously the many challenges facing our country, the most immediate of which, in my view, is the pandemic."[2]

Austin was a retired four-star Army general and the former commander of the U.S. Central Command.[3][4]

In January 2024, Austin was hospitalized for complications following a prostatectomy. He was hospitalized a second time in February 2024. Click here to read more.

Biography

Austin graduated with a B.S. from the United States Military Academy, an M.Ed from Auburn University, and an MBA from Webster University. He began his military service in 1975 as an infantry second lieutenant and advanced to a four-star general. He was involved in several major operations, including Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn. He served as commander of the U.S. Central Command from 2013 to 2016, where he led the campaign against the Islamic State.[3][5]

Austin received several awards and decorations during his military service, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with Three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Distinguished Service Medal (with Two Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Silver Star.[5]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Austin's military and professional career:[6]

  • 2021-2025: Secretary of defense
  • 2016: Founded Austin Strategy Group
  • 1975-2016: Military service
    • 2013-2016: Commander of U.S. Central Command
    • 2012-2013: Vice chief of staff of the Army
    • 2010-2011: Commanding general, United States Force in Iraq
    • 2008-2009: Commanding general, Multinational Corps, Iraq
    • 2003-2005: Commanding general, 10th Mountain Division
    • 2001-2003: Assistant division commander for maneuver for the 3rd Infantry Division
    • 1975: Graduated from the United States Military Academy

Nomination for U.S. secretary of defense

See also: Joe Biden presidential transition and Confirmation process for Lloyd Austin for secretary of defense
Joe Biden's Cabinet
Candidate: Lloyd Austin
Position: Secretary of Defense
ApprovedaAnnounced:December 8, 2020
ApprovedaHearing:January 19, 2021
ApprovedaCommittee:Armed Services
ApprovedaReported:Favorable (Voice Vote)
ApprovedaConfirmed:January 22, 2021
ApprovedaVote:93-2

Biden announced on December 8, 2020, that Austin would be nominated for U.S. secretary of defense.[4]

Biden said of his nomination, "General Austin shares my profound belief that our nation is at its strongest when we lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. Throughout his lifetime of dedicated service — and in the many hours we’ve spent together in the White House Situation Room and with our troops overseas — General Austin has demonstrated exemplary leadership, character, and command."[7]

Federal law prohibits a commissioned officer from filling this position if he or she is appointed within seven years of active duty unless Congress grants a waiver.[8]

The House and Senate approved a waiver on January 21, 2021. The Senate confirmed Austin on January 22, 2021, by a vote of 93-2, making him the first Black secretary of defense in U.S. history.

Summary of Senate vote on Lloyd Austin's nomination for secretary of defense (January 22, 2021)
Party Votes for Votes against Not voting
Democratic Party Democrats 48 0 0
Republican Party Republicans 43 2 5
Grey.png Independents 2 0 0
Totals 93 2 5


Click on the following table to view the full roll call.

Noteworthy events

Hospitalization for complications from prostatectomy (2024)

The U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement on January 5, 2024, saying that Austin had been hospitalized since January 1 for complications following "a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer."[9] Austin resumed his duties on January 5, 2024, working from the hospital.[10] The Pentagon informed the White House National Security Council and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan of Austin's hospitalization on January 4.[11] Austin left the hospital on January 15.[12]

The Associated Press' Tara Copp, Colleen Long, and Kevin Freking wrote, "The Pentagon’s failure to disclose Austin’s hospitalization, including to President Joe Biden, the National Security Council and top Pentagon leaders, for days reflects a stunning lack of transparency about his illness, how serious it was and when he may be released. Such secrecy, when the United States is juggling myriad national security crises, runs counter to normal practice with the president and other senior U.S. officials and Cabinet members."[13]

In a January 6 statement Austin said, "I am very glad to be on the mend and look forward to returning to the Pentagon soon. I also understand the media concerns about transparency and I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better. But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure."[14]

Austin was hospitalized a second time on February 11, 2024. The Pentagon issued a statement saying he had been hospitalized the same day.[15] He was released from the hospital on February 13, 2024, and took authority back from Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks at 5 p.m.[16]


Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Lloyd Austin. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Lloyd Austin - Google News

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Twitter, "Jennifer Epstein," January 22, 2021
  2. ↑ Senate Armed Services Committee, "Testimony of Lloyd Austin," January 19, 2021
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Washington Post, "Biden to name retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as defense secretary," December 7, 2020
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Atlantic, "Why I Chose Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense," December 8, 2020
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 U.S. House, "General Lloyd J. Austin III," March 4, 2014
  6. ↑ Academy of Diplomacy, "Lloyd Austin," accessed February 8, 2021
  7. ↑ 4President, "President-elect Biden Nominates Retired Four-Star General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense," December 8, 2020
  8. ↑ CNN, "Biden faces Democratic pushback over waiver to allow retired general to lead Pentagon," December 8, 2020
  9. ↑ Department of Defense, "Statement From Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Officials on Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Medical Care," January 9, 2024
  10. ↑ Department of Defense, "Statement From Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on Secretary of Defense Austin," January 5, 2024
  11. ↑ Associated Press, "Senior Biden leaders and Pentagon officials unaware for days that defense secretary was hospitalized," January 6, 2024
  12. ↑ PBS, "Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released from hospital after complications from prostate cancer surgery he kept secret," January 15, 2024
  13. ↑ Associated Press, "The Pentagon adds new details about Austin’s secretive hospital stay and the delay in telling Biden," January 7, 2024
  14. ↑ Department of Defense, "Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Medical Care," January 6, 2024
  15. ↑ The New York Times, "Austin Taken to Hospital for Bladder Issue," February 11, 2024
  16. ↑ New York Times, "Austin Is Released From the Hospital and Will Return to Work," accessed February 13, 2024

Political offices
Preceded by
David Norquist 		U.S. Secretary of Defense
2021-2025		 Succeeded by
Robert Salesses
v • e
Biden Administration
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Members confirmed by the Senate

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