Top USMC Post Goes Unfilled Due To Tuberville Block

Politico reports:

For the first time in more than 100 years, the Marine Corps has no Senate-confirmed leader. And despite the retirement of Commandant Gen. David Berger, there’s no inkling that the situation will change any time soon. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s seven-month hold on all senior military promotions ran head-on into the long military history of smooth leadership handovers during a pomp-filled ceremony Monday at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington.

Berger, whose four-year tour as the Marines’ top officer came to an end, was supposed to hand the reins over to Gen. Eric Smith, who has been nominated for the job. Instead, Smith will run the Corps on a temporary basis while he waits for Senate confirmation, thanks to the hold. Because he’s not confirmed, Smith will have to hold off on making any making strategic decisions for the service.

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Tuberville is blocking all top military promotions over a Pentagon policy that travel expenses for troops if they cannot obtain abortions in their state.

Top Marine general steps down with no Senate-confirmed successor in place https://t.co/s1f6tEljMR

— POLITICO (@politico) July 10, 2023