Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's mysterious absence, explained

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

47% : A 2022 Congressional Research Service report noted that the "Secretary of Defense would possibly contribute to the process by confirming that the order came from the President, but this role could also be filled by an officer in the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon.
34% : In 2019, Trump reportedly told the Pentagon to call off airstrikes on Iran with planes already in the air.
14% : Trump, who went through two confirmed defense secretaries and four acting ones during his four years in office, has called for Austin to be fired for "dereliction of duty.

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