Watch live: Austin bids farewell to Defense Department

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will bid farewell in a speech Friday morning, just days before President-elect Trump is set to return to the White House.

During his four years helming the Pentagon, the nation’s first Black Defense secretary was confronted with at least three major global conflicts. Austin also faced scrutiny over his lack of transparency about a cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospital visits.

Austin spent more than 40 years in uniform, retiring as a four-star Army general. He helmed the Pentagon throughout the Biden administration.

The Defense chief’s remarks come after President Biden gave his final remarks Thursday to U.S. service members, touting his defense record while praising the military and urging them to remember their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.

When introducing Biden, Austin said, “We salute your service to the republic that we defend. And we are deeply grateful for your love of our troops.”

The farewell speech from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, near the Pentagon in northern Virginia, is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. EST.

Watch the live video above.