Biden Expected To Nominate Gen. Lloyd Austin As Defense Secretary

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to tap Lloyd Austin, the retired U.S. Army four-star general, as secretary of defense in his incoming administration, two sources familiar with the decision have confirmed to NPR.

The news was first reported by Politico.

Austin joins a growing and diverse list of nominees for Biden's cabinet, which the president-elect has said he wants to reflect the diversity of America. If confirmed, Austin would be the first African American to lead the department.

Austin brings to the table decades of military experience and had previously led the U.S. Central Command.

Earlier Monday, Biden named key members of his incoming health team, including Xavier Becerra as his nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary. [Copyright 2020 NPR]