WASHINGTON (AP) – Lloyd J. Austin, the West Point graduate who rose to the Army’s elite ranks and marched through racial barriers in a 41-year career, has won Senate confirmation to become the nation’s first Black secretary of defense.
The vote gives President Joe Biden his second Cabinet member; Avril Haines was confirmed on Wednesday as the first woman to serve as director of national intelligence.
Austin arrived at the Pentagon on Friday afternoon, where he didn’t stop to answer reporters’ questions but said he looks forward to dealing with the press.
Shortly after the vote, he said on Twitter that he is especially proud to be the first Black secretary of defense, writing, “Let’s get to work.”
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