President Donald Trump has nominated Republican State Sen. Brian Birdwell of Granbury for the role of assistant secretary of defense.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick celebrated the news on X, praising Birdwell’s record of service and calling him “one of the greatest senators ever to serve Texas.”
Patrick described the appointment as “no surprise to those who know him,” highlighting Birdwell’s long career of service. A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, Birdwell is a decorated veteran who has received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Legion of Merit.
A survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, Birdwell endured 39 surgeries in his recovery and later co-founded a nonprofit supporting wounded servicemembers. He was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2010, representing Senate District 22 in Central Texas.
“America is in great hands with my friend in this key position,” Patrick said. “A soldier at heart, I know he will give his all and serve our country honorably in his next mission as Assistant Secretary of Defense.”
Birdwell will replace Christopher Lowman, the assistant secretary of defense for sustainment. The position is a senior civilian leadership role within the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for overseeing logistics, maintenance, and readiness across the armed forces. Currently, Leigh E. Method is serving in an acting capacity pending Senate confirmation of Birdwell.
While there is not a timeline for his confirmation as the federal government is currently shut down and these nominations often take months, Birdwell is expected to resign from his Senate seat, triggering a special election to fulfill the remainder of his term.
At the end of June, Birdwell had announced that he would not seek reelection.
