Tuberville puts hold on military promotion for top Austin aide

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has placed a hold on the promotion of Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, a top aide to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a spokesperson for the Alabama Republican confirmed to CNN.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has placed a hold on the promotion of Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, a top aide to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a spokesperson for the Alabama Republican confirmed to CNN. “Sen. Tuberville has concerns about Lt. Gen. Clark’s actions during Secretary Austin’s hospitalization,” Tuberville spokesperson Mallory Jaspers told CNN. “Lt. Gen. Clark knew that Sec. Austin was incapacitated and did not tell the Commander in Chief. As a senior commissioned officer, Lt. Gen. Clark’s oath requires him to notify POTUS when the chain of command is compromised.” The move, however, is very different from when Tuberville last year issued a blanket hold on military promotions across the board unless the Pentagon changed its abortion policy. A source familiar with the matter told CNN that this nomination now on the floor could still be resolved with procedural motions and is just one instead of hundreds from last year. The release of a report from the Pentagon’s inspector general could also impact the future and speed of the confirmation. The review was launched earlier this year to review whether the Pentagon has the appropriate policies in place to ensure an effective transfer of power and duties following Austin’s hospitalizations that were not immediately disclosed to the White House or other senior national security officials. Jaspers said the senator is “waiting to see the forthcoming IG report.” The Washington Post first reported on the hold.