Michael Brown, director of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, asked that his nomination to become the top weapons buyer be withdrawn, Defense News reported. The DOD inspector general is looking into hiring practices in Brown’s office, delaying the confirmation process.

“While I am confident the office of the inspector general will ultimately find no wrongdoing on my part, I know there are other qualified candidates who can focus on the urgent business of making our acquisition process faster and more cost-effective,” Brown said in a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “I must put the interests of the department above my own enthusiasm for serving as under secretary for acquisitions and sustainment.”

Air Force photo by Senior Airman Haley Stevens