President Joe Biden will go against the recommendation of his defense secretary and named Adm. Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, an administration official told multiple outlets Friday, meaning, if confirmed, she’ll be the first woman to serve as a U.S. military service chief.
In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti meets ... [+]
Last month, it was reported Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recommended Adm. Samuel Paparo lead the Navy, but on Friday the Biden administration announced the president’s nomination of Franchetti to the primary post instead, alongside a recommendation that Paparo lead the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Insiders had considered Franchetti—an admiral with executive experience who was widely considered the frontrunner for the job—the top choice, the AP reported.
Franchetti has served as vice chief of naval operations since last fall, while Paparo commands the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, which has focused on confronting China’s growing naval power, Politico reported last month—a primary reason some suspect Austin recommended him for the role.
If nominated, Franchetti’s new role will be held up along with hundreds of military nominations and promotions under a blanket hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who is preventing the appointment of military officers in protest of a Defense Department policy that pays for service members to travel out of state for an abortion. But because she is second in command, Franchetti is set to be the acting chief when Adm. Michael Gilday, the top Navy officer whose four-year term ends this fall.