What You Need to Know: Lloyd Austin

Austin has faced significant criticism for his role as the leader of CENTCOM coincided with the rise of ISIS.

“GOP lawmakers will take issue with Austin’s record leading CENTCOM, during which time the command was accused of downplaying the threat posed by ISIS and manipulating intelligence to support its flawed premise.” – Newsweek:

“The Atlantic wrote in 2016 that Austin told the White House that ISIS was “a flash in the pan,” prompting Obama to tell The New Yorker that the group—which came to control a swathe of territory in Iraq and Syria and has launched multiple terrorist attacks in the West—was terrorism’s ‘jayvee team.’”

“His time at CENTCOM coincided with the rise of the Islamic State group, better known as ISIS, as well as the effort to grow an anti-ISIS military force in Syria. That train-and-equip mission led to an explosive congressional hearing, where Austin was ripped by members of Congress after he admitted the effort, underway for five months, had produced only ‘four or five’ fighters.” – Defense News:

“Sen. John McCain, to Gen. Lloyd Austin five years ago: ‘I’ve never seen a hearing that is as divorced from the reality of every outside expert and what you are saying.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeBEzeyV8Ow” – Dan Lamothe, Washington Post:

Austin first needs a waiver from the House and Senate in order to be eligible to serve as secretary of Defense. A significant number of Democrats and Republicans are opposed to the waiver, complicating the math for Austin.

“Among those who said they will vote “no” on the waiver are Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn…..The waiver may be the highest hurdle to Austin’s confirmation. Duckworth, for one, has said she would support his confirmation if Congress agrees to waive the law.” – Roll Call:

“Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Tuesday that she will oppose granting a waiver to retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden‘s pick to lead the Pentagon.” – The Hill

“Blumenthal declined to say if he believed Biden should nominate someone else but added, ‘I will not support the waiver.’” – The Hill:

“In fact, after the Mattis confirmation, Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he would vote against any future waivers, claiming that they should be granted no more than once in a generation.” – Slate:

The Hill: “‘I think the preference would be for someone who is not recently retired,’ Reed said.”

“Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), another one of the 17 ‘no’ votes in 2017, said on Tuesday that he was also unlikely to support granting Austin a waiver. ‘I didn’t for Mattis, and I don’t think I will for him,’ Tester said, referring to Austin.” – The Hill:

“Based on the lessons learned after the House made the unprecedented move of granting a waiver four years ago, the Republican Study Committee will oppose granting General Austin a waiver” – Republican Study Committee

“Congress was wrong to exempt him from a legal prohibition on recently retired military officers serving as defense secretary. And Congress shouldn’t do the same for President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin.” – Rep. Mike Gallagher:

Lloyd Austin joins a long list of senior appointees who have conflicts of interest.

“Austin is also under scrutiny on the left. As a board member at Raytheon, his nomination has drawn flak from observers who worry about too much defense contractor influence on policy decisions.” – Roll Call:

“OH COME ON,’ tweeted Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight. ‘A General and Raytheon board? Possibly the worst of all options. Bad news for civilian control and any real distance from the military-industrial- complex.’”

“Even members of Mr. Biden’s own party had urged Mr. Biden to stay away from nominating anyone for the defense secretary’s job who came directly from the world of military contractors.” – New York Times:

“Just days after the presidential election, a new investment firm called Pine Island Acquisition Corporation quietly began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, with the prospect of becoming a notable player in the $2 trillion defense and aerospace industry. The company’s greatest asset was not its relatively modest bankroll goal of $200 million, but its connections — deep ties to policy establishment figures shaping the incoming Biden administration.” – New York Post

“Gen. Lloyd Austin, Biden’s nominee for defense secretary, is also listed as one of the firm’s ‘DC Partners.’”

“At the time General Austin joined the firm, Pine Island said he was “already fully engaged, working with us on new investments, bringing his experience and judgment to our portfolio companies,” which include InVeris Training Solutions, which provides virtual weapons firing training.” – New York Times: