It’s not clear who will lead the Pentagon when Trump takes office. What happens then?
It's unclear who'll take over at the Pentagon and the military services when the top leaders all step down Monday as President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.
Austin, the first Black defense secretary, ends his term marred by Afghanistan but buoyed by Ukraine
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is bidding farewell to the forces and personnel he's led through a tumultuous term

Pentagon, Austin

Pentagon watchdog finds Lloyd Austin's hospitalization "unnecessarily" increased risks to national security
 · 3dNew York Sun
Pentagon Inspector General Says Defense Secretary Austin ‘Unnecessarily’ Increased Risks to National Security With Secret Hospital Stays
 · 3dMilitary Times on MSN
Watchdog: Pentagon chief's secret hospital stay ‘unnecessarily' risky
A Pentagon watchdog found no harm to U.S. national security but said the incident raised the odds of such issues.
Pentagon Chief Austin Rejects Trump Criticism That US Military Is ‘Woke’
Departing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spurns criticism from President-elect Donald Trump — and from Trump’s choice to replace him — that the American military has become too “woke,” and champions the value of diversity policies that the next administration wants to scrap.
Pentagon investigation raises new concerns about Austin's 2024 hospitalization
An investigation released on Wednesday into U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's secret 2024 hospitalization found his desire for privacy drove notification failures inside the government, and that he took medication that could have affected his cognitive functions while still in sole command.
krcgtv.com1d
Defense Secretary Austin bids farewell, reflects on term marked by crises and change
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin bid farewell Friday to the forces and personnel he has led through a tumultuous term that had three major military crises, a global pandemic and a personal brush with cancer that became a flashpoint for the way it was mishandled.
Austin failed to tell Congress or the White House about his health problems as required, report says
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s failure to inform Congress or the White House as required when he was incapacitated due to treatment for prostate cancer and later complications potentially raised “unnecessary” security risks.
The Independent4d
The Latest: Pete Hegseth delivers opening remarks in his defense secretary confirmation hearing
Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest ... including current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who led the invasion into Iraq.
Zelensky and Austin say military aid to Ukraine must continue under Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, at their final meeting in Germany, urge Trump to not give up on Kyiv’s fight.
Houston Chronicle8d
Zelenskyy and Austin use their final meeting to press Trump to keep supporting Ukraine
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin used their ... President-elect Donald Trump’s pronouncements about pushing ...
Defense News on MSN9d
The Pentagon finessed its pivot to Asia. Can it last during Trump?
Donald Trump’s administration had warned of the problem ... referring to the nation’s board of top military officers. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at Philippine navy headquarters as part of his visit to Subic Bay, Philippines, July 2024.
Springfield News-Sun9d
Zelenskyy and Austin say military aid to Ukraine must continue under Trump
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd ... while Austin acknowledged he has no idea what President-elect Donald Trump will ...