Biden to Name Retired General Austin First Black Defense Chief
- Choice would be culmination of a career of firsts for Austin
- Congress may balk at waiving limit on retired military in role
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President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate retired Army General Lloyd Austin as defense secretary, according to three people familiar with the decision, making him the first African American to lead the Pentagon.
Austin has already had a career punctuated by firsts -- including as the first Black general to command U.S. forces in the Middle East.