Biden taps Chollet for DOD policy chief

President Biden intends to nominate State Department counselor Derek Chollet to be the Pentagon's next under secretary of defense for policy, according to a White House announcement.

Chollet, who has served as State Department counselor since January 2021, has previously held positions at State, the White House and Defense Department, including as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, special assistant to the president and senior director for strategic planning on the National Security Council, as well as other roles.

Outside of government, Chollet has also held a number of positions at think tanks and research institutions including the Center for a New American Security, the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Brookings Institution.

If confirmed, Chollet would succeed outgoing USD-P Colin Kahl.

However, Chollet, along with hundreds of other DOD nominees, is poised to run into Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) monthslong nomination blockade over his opposition to the Pentagon’s travel and leave policies for servicemembers seeking abortion services.