The Biden transition says it does not expect problems in winning the waiver nor in confirming Austin. There is rising concern on both sides of the aisle about the idea of issuing another waiver so soon. James Mattis, President Donald Trump's first secretary of defense, also required a waiver because he'd also been out of the military less than seven years when tapped to serve. Facing the same decision, this time members of Congress are also presented with the uncomfortable choice between upholding the civilian norm and blocking the country's first Black defense chief. If granted the waiver and confirmed by the Senate, Austin would be the first African American to lead the Pentagon.

Source: CNN December 30, 2020 14:48 UTC