Third Military Branch Now Without Confirmed Leader

Reuters reports:

The U.S. Navy on Monday became the third branch of the military to no longer have a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time in history, as a Republican senator continues to block military nominations.

Retiring Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday gave up command on Monday. The Navy, Army and Marine Corps are now all without a confirmed leader. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who represents Alabama, has blocked hundreds of military nominations from moving forward.

“This is unprecedented. It is unnecessary. And it is unsafe,” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a relinquishment ceremony at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

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