President Joe Biden nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti on Friday for the United States' Chief of Naval Operations despite Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recommendation to nominate Admiral Samuel Paparo.
This seems like a "diversity" hire to me.
Check out what the White House, the President, and the Secretary of Defense said about Franchetti with the announcement. Sure, they tout her credentials and all that, but I think we can all discern what's really going on here.
WHITE HOUSE: "If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will be the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
BIDEN: "She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy."
LLOYD: "She will continue to inspire all of us."
Who cares if she's the first to do this, or the second to do that, or the inspiration of whomever?!
What does that have to do with being the right person for the job?
Franchetti's nomination comes 15 months after Biden also nominated a woman to lead the U.S. Coast Guard.
When Fagan was confirmed in May 2022, Biden issued a statement, praising her for being the "Coast Guard's first woman to hold the rank of four-star admiral" and that "she again makes history not only as the first woman to lead the Coast Guard — but also as the first woman Service Chief of any U.S. military service."
"My administration is committed to seeing more qualified women in senior leadership and command roles; making sure women can succeed and thrive throughout their military careers," Biden said in May 2022 when Fagan was confirmed.
"Admiral Fagan's confirmation as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard signals to women and girls across our nation they have a place in protecting their country at the highest level."
