US Marine Corps in historic leadership limbo due to Republican block
- The US Marine Corps is without a confirmed leader for the first time in a century
- Bitter political feud over abortion hampers approval of scores of military nominees
The US Marine Corps is now without a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time in over a century thanks to a Republican senator’s block on military nominations.
Retiring General David Berger formally relinquished command on Monday as the Marine Corps’ commandant, creating the first of several possible vacancies of Senate confirmed leaders on the US military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff in the coming months.
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who represents Alabama, has blocked hundreds of military nominations from moving forward because he believes the Pentagon is improperly using government funding to cover travel costs for abortions for service members and their dependents.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin denounced the delay at Berger’s retirement ceremony, saying it was undermining readiness.
“Smooth and timely transitions of confirmed leadership are central to the defence of the United States,” Austin said, adding he expected the Senate to “meet its responsibilities”.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said last time the Marine Corps had an acting Commandant was from December 1, 1910 to February 2, 1911.