Marines Without Senate-Confirmed Leader for the First Time in 164 Years

The Marine Corps is without a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time in 164 years as a result of Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) blocking Pentagon nominees in protest of a Department of Defense abortion policy. 

Why is Tuberville Blocking Nominees? Tuberville is blocking unanimous consent votes in the Senate to confirm, in his own words published in the Washington Post (Lean Left bias), “only those at the very top — generals and flag officers. The people who actually fight are not affected at all.” Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, the Department of Defense instituted a policy giving paid leave and reimbursement to service members traveling across state lines for an abortion. Tuberville is pushing for the policy to either be removed or enshrined in law, stating, “If Democrats can’t pass legislation to authorize the abortion policy, then it shouldn’t be the policy.”

Details: Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger retired Monday, relinquishing duty without a Senate-approved successor ready to take over. Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith is awaiting Senate confirmation to be promoted to commandant, but will serve as acting commandant in the meantime. The last time the Marine Corps was without a Senate-confirmed leader was in 1859, when Commandant Archibald Henderson died without a successor in place. 

How The Media Covered It: Coverage across the spectrum is focusing on the optics of the confirmation blockage on the global stage, typically quoting military officers criticizing Tuberville and accusing him of politicizing the armed forces.