Biden appoints two female generals to 4-star leadership after promotions delayed under Trump administration

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The appointments of General Jacqueline Van Ovost of the Air Force to Commander of United States Transport Command and Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson of the Army to Commander of United States Southern Command would make them the second and third woman to lead a combat command if confirmed by the Senate.

Biden, in his remarks on International Women’s Day at the White House on Monday, called Van Ovost and Richardson “two outstanding and eminently skilled warriors and patriots.”

“Each of these women has had careers that demonstrate incomparable competence, integrity and duty to the country. And at every step, they have also helped open the doors of opportunity for the wives of our military, paving the way, a little wider, a little brighter, for all the proud women who follow their path and look to their example, ”said the president.

On Monday, two defense officials told CNN that the female nominations and other male officer nominations for promotion were withdrawn by the Trump Pentagon because they were submitted too early for consideration by Congress.

CNN previously reported that women’s promotions to 4-star generals were delayed by Pentagon officials until the end of the 2020 presidential election over fears of “unrest” from President Donald Trump in the White House .
A senior official close to former Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CNN’s Jake Tapper last month that the roster of officers numbered half a dozen and that there were concerns that others at Home had. Blanche could try to hold them back for one reason or another – including the fact that relations between Esper and Trump, and between the Pentagon and the White House, were in a bad state.

On Monday, Biden noted that Van Ovost, a first-generation American, flew Air Force Two while he was vice president under the Obama administration, and highlighted Richardson’s work as the commanding general of the ‘US Army North, coordinating army medical personnel deployed to aid in the coronavirus response.

The president also spoke of the need to eliminate sexual assault and harassment against women in the military, calling it “nothing less than a threat to our national security”.

“This is going to be a continued effort under my administration to end the scourge of sexual assault in the military,” he said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed Biden’s appointments on Monday, saying: “Today you nominate for the command of the fighters two extraordinary military leaders whose lived experience spans nearly 70 years of service. in uniform in peace and war. “

“You know that the diversity of our nation makes us stronger and that the diversity of our military ranks allows us to better defend the American people,” said Austin.

Vice President Kamala Harris also praised the nominations in brief remarks, saying: “Although it has only been five years since all combat jobs have been opened up to women, women have been in the crosshairs risking their life to protect our nation long before that. “

CNN’s Chandelis Duster contributed to this report.

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