ICYMI: Bipartisan Warren, Scott (Fla.) Letter Questions Biden Defense Secretary’s Decision to Launch Lobbying Firm

Austin publicly promised Warren in 2021 he would not become a lobbyist after leaving government service
“When our highest-ranking government officials and military officers treat their positions as steppingstones to personal enrichment, they corrupt the very institution they swore to defend.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin seeking an explanation and further information on his recent decision to start a strategic advisory firm. Austin hadpublicly promisedSenator Warren during his 2021 confirmation process that he would not become a lobbyist after his government service ended.
On June 3, 2025,Politicoreportedthat Austin was launching Clarion Strategies, along with other former Biden defense and national security officials, to help clients “navigate geopolitical upheaval…, advancements in defense technology…, [and] global trade shifts and emerging alliances among U.S. adversaries like Russia, China, North Korea and China.” This new venture undermines his promises to Senator Warren to “ensure that the public has no reason to question my impartiality” and “[had] no intent to be a lobbyist.”
“The revolving door between the Pentagon and K Street has been spinning for years during both Democratic and Republican administrations. In your case, this move is particularly disappointing because you made a clear promise during your nomination hearing to uphold the public trust,”wrote the senators.
Austin’s pledges helped secure similarcommitments from other defense nominees, including Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, and Under Secretary of the Army Gabriel Camarillo.
Austin appears to have found a loophole by serving as an “adviser” rather than a registered lobbyist.
“[That] undermines the very purpose of the promise that you made to the American people: to close the revolving door of government officials cashing in on their public service by lobbying, advising…”wrote the lawmakers.
The senators demanded clarity on Austin’s new role by July 14, 2025, including whether he’ll register to lobby on behalf of any company; if any current or prospective clients have contracts with the Defense Department; if he’ll work on behalf of any foreign government; if he’ll recuse from any matters involving any companies he worked with as Defense Secretary; and whether any clients would benefit from his security clearance.
As leaders of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Senators Warren and Scott helda hearingon the dangers of the revolving door. Both have also introduced legislation to tackle the revolving door, with Senator Warren introducing theDepartment of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Actand Senator Scott introducing theBanning Lobbying and Safeguarding Trust (BLAST) Actto ban members of Congress from lobbying.
Senator Warren has long sought to protect servicemembers and national security by pushing defense nominees to resolve their conflicts of interest:
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