Gen. Eric Smith Nominated as Marine Corps' Top Officer by Biden

President Joe Biden has nominated Gen. Eric Smith, the Marine Corps' current assistant commandant, to lead the service after the retirement of Gen. David Berger. If confirmed, Smith will oversee the transformation of the Corps into an older, more mature island-hopping force aimed at countering China in the Pacific. The nomination comes amid a larger shake-up in military leadership, with several other senior officials set to retire. Smith's nomination will need to be considered by the Senate, where it will likely be held up by Sen. Tommy Tuberville's objection to the Pentagon's decision to cover travel and leave for service members seeking abortions and other reproductive health care.