THE AFRICA BAZAAR STAFF

January 22, 2021

The U.S. Senate with a landslide vote on Friday approved Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as the next Defense Secretary of the United States.

Senate members voted 93 to 2 during the confirmation. 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position. Let’s get to work,” Secretary Austin tweeted shortly after the votes were confirmed.

He will be sworn in later today and ceremonially on Monday by Vice President Kamala Harris.

President Biden has nominated Dr. Kathleen Hicks to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense and Dr. Colin Kahl as Under Secretary of Defense for policy.