Biden Ignores Pentagon's Recommendation, Forces Diversity Quota Nomination For High Ranking Military Post

On Friday, President Joe Biden is looking to continue forcing diversity picks into his administration, overruling the Pentagon's recommendation and choosing Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, Franchetti would be the first woman to be a Pentagon service chief and the first woman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recommended that the president choose Admiral Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, according to Fox News. Biden was not very interested in the recommendation, instead pushing for someone who would make history in his administration. 

“As our next Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti will bring 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current role of Vice Chief of Naval Operations,” Biden said in a statement.

“Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas,” the statement continued. “She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and when confirmed, she will again make history as the first woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

Austin responded to the decision from the president, praising him despite their differing opinions on the matter. "I'm very proud that Admiral Franchetti has been nominated to be the first woman chief of naval operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where she will continue to inspire all of us," he said.

Biden did not entirely leave out the recommendation of Paparo, nominating the admiral to be the Commander of Indo-Pacific Command. The president had far less to say about Paparo in his statement, including his recommendation of the admiral alongside Vice Admiral Stephen ‘Web’ Koehler for Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

While Franchetti is undoubtedly qualified for the position, being a highly decorated four-star admiral, the way that Biden made the recommendation made his intent crystal clear. The president is not nominating Franchetti to the position because she is qualified, he is simply nominating her to the position because she is a woman which allows him to check off a diversity box in his administration.

It’s unfortunate for Franchetti that despite the hard work that she has put into the Navy, her recommendation comes because someone wanted to feel good about themselves and look good to others. It’s almost mocking all the hard work that she has done over the years to be ultimately making this decision over her gender. 

But what do you expect from the man who chose his vice president purely based on their gender and race? At least in this case, the diversity quota decision is also someone who is highly capable and won’t completely falter in a position like Kamala Harris has.