The Senate on Friday confirmed President Joe Biden’s Defense Secretary nominee, retired Gen. Lloyd Austin.

He will become the first African American to run the department.

Austin, who will head The Pentagon, retired in 2016 and had to be granted a waiver.

The law requires a Defense Secretary be seven years off-duty before taking the job.

At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Austin promised to carry out the mission of the Department of Defense with the goal to deter war and ensure our nation’s security.

“I will uphold the principle of civilian control of the military, as intended. The safety and security of our democracy demands competent civilian control of our armed forces, the subordination of military power to the civil”, he said.

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Biden’s first cabinet nominee, Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines.

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