Biden likely to break barriers, pick woman to lead Pentagon

It is predicted that President-elect Joe Biden will make a historic move and appoint a woman for the first time to lead the Pentagon, shattering one of the few remaining barriers to women in the department and the presidential cabinet.

US officials and political insiders consider Michele Flournoy, a politically moderate Pentagon veteran, as a top choice for the job.

Her appointment will come on the heels of a turbulent Pentagon era that under President Donald Trump has seen five men hold the top position. Mark Esper, who was shot by Trump on Monday after pushing back on topics like troop withdrawals and the use of the military to quench civil unrest, was the most recent defense secretary to go. 

If confirmed, Flournoy will face a future that is supposed to include declining budgets for the Pentagon and possible military participation in the delivery of a vaccine against coronavirus.