Marines without confirmed leader as Tuberville maintains promotions hold over DOD abortion policy

The United States Marine Corps is without a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time since 1859 following the retirement of Commandant Gen. David Berger on Monday, amid Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville's ongoing hold on military promotions to protest the Department of Defense's abortion travel policy.

Following the Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022 that upended the constitutional right to an abortion, the DOD enacted a policy permitting servicemembers paid leave for travel to obtain an abortion in states where the procedure remains legal. Tuberville, in response, announced the hold, which has blocked dozens of promotions for key military officials.

While he cannot unilaterally stop their confirmation, he may refuse to grant his consent to the blanket approval of slates of nominees, forcing the upper chamber to schedule valuable floor time for individual hearings.

Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith currently leads the Marines in an acting capacity, and will continue to do so until the Senate confirms his appointment, The Hill reported.

The Pentagon and White House have attacked Tuberville for allegedly undermining military readiness with his hold. He has, however, rejected such concerns, pointing to the acting personnel filling key positions such as Smith.

"My hold has no effect on readiness. None," he said in late April, before citing military personnel who have rejected the notion that his plan undercuts military preparations.

The Marines have not been without a Senate-confirmed leader since the 1859 death of Commandant Archibald Henderson.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.