The Pentagon is heading up and moving out on whether such a role would be legal. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) said he spoke on Monday with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who told him the matter “is being carefully reviewed,” according to the National Journal.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3