Pentagon Delayed Promoting 2 Female Generals for Fear of Trump Reaction: Report – By Oriana Pawlyk (Military.com) / Feb 17 2021
The Pentagon delayed recommendations for two female generals to take over top-tier commands last fall for fear the Trump administration would overturn the decision, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, advised against a recommendation to nominate Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, currently head of Air Mobility Command, to take over U.S. Transportation Command; and another for Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, of U.S. Army North, to lead U.S. Southern Command, for fear the Trump White House would replace them with other candidates, the Times said.
However, the Biden administration is likely to advance the women into the roles, with formal nominations expected in coming weeks, the newspaper reported.
If confirmed by the Senate, Van Ovost and Richardson would be the highest-ranking female leaders overseeing two of the nation’s 11 combatant commands, which are responsible for coordinating military operations particular to their corresponding mission.
