In a move that goes against his own Pentagon’s advice, President Biden has selected Adm. Lisa Franchetti to head the Navy, a nomination that would make her the first female Pentagon service chief and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should her appointment be confirmed.
The President’s decision came as a surprise, considering that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had recommended Adm. Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, for the top spot, as per various reports.
In his Friday statement, Biden acknowledged that Franchetti’s appointment to such a prominent military position is unparalleled, given her gender.
He pointed out she’s only the second woman to rise to the rank of four-star admiral in the Navy.
“As our next chief of naval operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti will bring 38 years of committed service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current position as vice chief of naval operations,” Biden added. “Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has showcased vast knowledge in both operational and policy arenas.”
Franchetti’s service record includes leading two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Pacific and serving as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, and director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff. As 6th Fleet commander, she directed the Navy’s response to Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s deployment of chemical weapons.
Despite having a different recommendation, Austin endorsed Biden’s pick, commenting, “I’m very proud that Admiral Franchetti has been nominated to be the first woman chief of naval operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where she will continue to inspire all of us.”
Biden also nominated Austin’s initial choice, Paparo, for the role of Indo-Pacific Command commander, and selected Vice Adm. James Kilby for vice chief of the Navy and Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler to oversee the Pacific Fleet.
Franchetti’s confirmation might be delayed, however, alongside several other general and flag officers, due to Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala, protesting a Defense Department policy that covers travel expenses for service members or their dependents who need to leave the state for an abortion.
Biden criticized Tuberville’s protest strongly in his statement.
Biden stated, “What Senator Tuberville is doing is not only wrong — it is dangerous. In this moment of rapidly evolving security environments and intense competition, he is risking our ability to ensure that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. And his Republican colleagues in the Senate know it.”
Franchetti’s nomination is yet another woke and dangerous move for the Biden administration’s Pentagon, which has seen the first Black secretary of defense and the first female Army secretary.
President Biden has also proposed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
If confirmed, Brown’s appointment alongside Austin would mark a historical first with the two most senior Pentagon leaders being woke and far left leaning Black men.
While the White House advocates for diversity as a “strategic advantage,” some Republican critics have voiced concerns over the Biden administration prioritizing “wokeness” over military efficacy.
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