President-elect Joe Biden has officially announced that retired four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin is his nominee for secretary of Defense. Biden acknowledged that, if confirmed, Austin’s tenure would be historic as he would be the first Black person to lead the Pentagon:

“He’s been breaking down barriers and blazing a trail forward in this nation for many years now for more than 40 years. And he has a long way to go. He’s gonna do it again… You’re a friend, but I wanna thank you, General Austin, for once more stepping forward to serve your nation.”

Biden added, “This is not a post he sought, but I sought him.” But not everyone agrees with the pick. ABC News writes:

Because it has not been seven years since he’s been out of uniform, Austin would require a waiver to serve in the top post, required to help ensure civilian control of the military.

Trump’s first defense secretary, retired Gen. James Mattis, received enough votes to obtain the waiver, but it’s unclear if Austin will have the same fate, as some Democrats have expressed hesitation in, again, breaking from the norm. 

Biden is responding to the concerns saying:

“I would not be asking for this exception if I did not believe this moment in our history didn’t call for it — it does call for it — and if I didn’t have the faith I have in Lloyd Austin to ask for it… I know this man. I know his respect for our Constitution. I know his respect for our system of government. So just as they did for Secretary Jim Mattis, I ask the Congress to grant a waiver for Lloyd Austin.”

Austin thanked Biden for his “trust and confidence” pointing out, “I come to this new role as a civilian leader — with military experience, to be sure — but also with a deep appreciation and reverence for the prevailing wisdom of civilian control of our military.” 

Watch more of what Austin and Biden said above.