US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Tuesday underlined during his trip to Brasilia that the Armed Forces should respect democracy and remain under firm civilian control. His remarks came two days after incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro claimed upon launching his re-election bid that the Army is on our side.
President-elect Joe Biden has chosen retired General Lloyd Austin, who oversaw U.S. forces in the Middle East under President Barack Obama, to be his defense secretary. Austin, who would be the first Black U.S. secretary of defense, was a surprise pick over Michele Flournoy, a former top Defense Department official who was considered the leading contender for the job. Flournoy would have been the first woman defense secretary. The news was first reported by Politico.