US Army chief of staff resigns over abortion scandal that delays Pentagon appointments

Senator Tommy Tuberville says policy allowing military personnel to take abortion leave is illegal Credit: REUTERS resign on Friday to leave a second military unit without a confirmed leader as a single senator delays Pentagon nominations over a scandal over military access to abortion.

300+ nominations — including generals selected in as the next heads of the Army and Marine Corps, are awaiting confirmation by the US Senate, and their number continues to grow.

The Senate can still vote for candidates individually, but the decision by Senator Tommy Tuberville, R.A. of Alabama, means they can't be quickly approved by a unanimous group.

«Unfortunately, today for the» Department of Defense, our two services will operate without Senate-approved leadership,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a ceremony marking the end of General James McConville’s term as Chief of Staff.

“Failure to confirm our excellently qualified senior commanders in uniform undermines our military readiness.

“This undermines the retention of some of our very best officers. And it is turning the lives of too many of their spouses, children and loved ones upside down.»

General James McConville resigned on Friday. Photo: REUTERS

The Pentagon stressed that the delay in approving candidatures is negatively affecting military families, as they cannot plan things like school for their children, given the uncertainty of where they will live.

General Randy. George, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, has been appointed to replace General McConville as Chief of Service and will serve as Acting Officer in addition to his current job.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022 overturned the nationwide right for abortion, which means that military personnel stationed in places that restrict or prohibit this procedure must now take leave and go to areas where it is legal.

In response, General Austin directed the Department of Defense to develop a policy, which was published in February, to allow military personnel to take administrative leave to receive «non-covered reproductive health care» and establish travel allowances to help them cover costs.

Mr. Tuberville insists these attempts are illegal and has vowed to delay approval by senior officers as well as DoD civilian officials until this is reversed.

The commandant of the US Marine Corps has left retired on July 10, and the general appointed in his place has been holding two positions for almost a month now — deputy commandant and head of service.

The problem will be aggravated as other senior officers soon leave their post, in including Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.