Lloyd Austin issues memo instructing military how to reshuffle leadership roles in response to Tuberville blockade
Brady Knox
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin instructed United States military leaders to reshuffle leadership roles in response to Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) promotion blockade.
In an August memo acquired by CNN, Austin reiterated his belief that the blockade was having a “cascading” effect on national security and gave a set of guidelines to help the military cope with the new reality.
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Tuberville’s “unprecedented, across-the-board hold is having a cascading effect, increasingly hindering the normal operations of this Department and undermining both our military readiness and our national security,” Austin wrote.
He instructed lower-ranking officers to assume higher positions “in extraordinary cases.”
Incumbent heads “may be asked to remain in place until their successor has been nominated, confirmed, and appointed,” while officers in a deputy or vice position may temporarily assume a leading role, he wrote.
“I understand that these steps will not end or offset the risk to our readiness or our global leadership position,” Austin added. “Nor will they resolve the uncertainty and stress inflicted upon our general and flag officers and their families, or alleviate the worries rippling further down our ranks.”
Despite the worries of Austin and other officials within the Biden administration, Tuberville has remained steadfast in his protest, which he enacted in March in response to the Pentagon’s new abortion policy, which was put in place without the say of Congress. The Alabama Republican argues that to institute the policy without the consent of Congress is illegal, and he says he will continue his blockade until the policy is rescinded and put through Congress for a vote.
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The senator has also put the blame on the Pentagon, saying that the blockade could be ended swiftly by putting the policy to a vote. He has also criticized the Pentagon for its alleged refusal to cooperate.
“Since the policy’s implementation and despite my numerous requests, the DoD has refused to provide basic information on the utilization of this policy, such as the budget from which it will draw funds necessary to cover this travel,” Tuberville wrote in a letter sent to Austin last month. “In fact, the DoD recently provided a briefing for members of the Senate Armed Services Committee which failed to deliver any new information, and frankly, raised more questions than answers. I remain strongly opposed to this immoral policy, and believe its development and implementation run afoul of legal authority granted to the executive branch.”