Tuberville’s Hold on Military Official Nominees Delays Marine Commandant Appointment

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville’s months-long hold on all senior Pentagon nominees is making it difficult to appoint a new Marine Corps leader, leaving the Marines without a leader for the first time in 164 years.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger retired on Monday and left Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith as acting commandant of the Marine Corps. Smith needs to be confirmed by the Senate to become the official head of the Marine Corps. Because Tuberville has exercised a universal hold on appointments of high-ranking military posts for months, however, Smith’s confirmation could be delayed indefinitely. ---More...