If confirmed, Hernandez-Baquero would potentially oversee $70 billion budget for space programs, which Raytheon would be eligible for
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Dr. Erich Hernandez-Baquero, a current Raytheon executive nominated for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, to make a series of ethics commitments, including recusing himself for four years from all matters related to his former employer, committing to not work for a defense contractor for four years after leaving government service, and commit to not lobby the Department of Defense (DoD) for at least four years after leaving his new role. If confirmed, and absent these commitments, Hernandez-Baquero could help determine whether Raytheon, a massive defense contractor, receives Air Force contracts.
“Your relationship with a defense contractor that you served for five years as a senior executive will raise concerns about the appearance of impartiality if you are confirmed in your new role,” wrote Senator Warren.
Hernandez-Baquero joined Raytheon in 2021 and in various roles has helped the company “leverage advancements” in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and data processing for surveillance and reconnaissance missions from space, all in support of the Intelligence Community and DoD. During his time at the company, Raytheon and its parent company, RTX, have been awarded over $26 billion in defense contracts.
If confirmed, Hernandez-Baquero could oversee a record $71.2 billion for Space Force priorities and have access to non-public information and influence over DoD’s acquisition strategy. Just this year alone, the Air Force increased the value of a Raytheon satellite communications contract by $2 billion.
“The revolving door between giant defense contractors and DoD threatens to undermine public trust, distort procurement priorities, and reduce competition by placing non-traditional defense entrants at a disadvantage,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren asked Hernandez-Baquero to make three ethics commitments ahead of his June 25th nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee:
- Recuse, for a period of four years, from all matters related to Raytheon;
- Commit to not work for a defense contractor for four years after leaving government service; and
- Commit to not lobby any component of DoD for at least four years after leaving office, including as a “shadow lobbyist.”
“By making these commitments, you would increase the public’s trust in your ability to serve in their best interest during your time at DoD. I urge you to demonstrate a commitment to integrity,” concluded Senator Warren.
Senator Warren also asked Hernandez-Baquero to divest his equity in Raytheon and provide a copy of his ethics guidance from DoD.
Senator Warren has led the fight to root out corruption and close the revolving door between government officials and the private sector:
- In May 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust (BLAST) Act, a bipartisan bill to impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by former members of Congress.
- In April 2026, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Secretary Hegseth on allegations that Trump administration officials are engaging in possible insider trading by placing bets on the Iran War through prediction markets.
- In February 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), along with Representatives Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) pressed the Inspectors General (IGs) of 16 key agencies to open investigations into senior Trump officials who were recently lobbyists or “shadow lobbyists” and may be using their roles to benefit their former employers and clients.
- In January 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on potential conflicts of interest surrounding the awarding of multiple lucrative Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and loans to companies associated with President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.
- In December 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) pressed the Trump administration to follow through on promises to limit defense companies stock buybacks and incentivize them to increase research and development spending.
- In December 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called for then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to recuse herself from the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s review of any Warner Bros. merger due to potential conflicts of interest related to her former employer, lobbying firm Ballard Partners.
- In November 2025, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Dr. Robert Kadlec, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs at the Department of Defense (DoD) with concerns over his past management failures and conflicts of interest during his time at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he served as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Those allegations include exercising improper political pressure on career officials to financially benefit his former clients.
- Senator Warren’s Department of Defense (DoD) Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act, with now-Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.), would limit the influence of contractors on the military, constrain foreign influence on retired senior military officers, and assert greater transparency over contractors and their interaction with DoD.
- In July 2025, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), 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 had publicly promised Senator Warren during his 2021 confirmation process that he would not become a lobbyist after his government service ended.
- In May 2025, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Mr. Michael Obadal, nominee for Under Secretary of the Army, with concerns about his refusal to divest from major defense contractors. Obadal previously held between $250,000 and $500,000 in Anduril stock, and had refused to divest from ahead of his confirmation.
- In March 2025, Senator Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to Mr. John Phelan, nominee to be Secretary of the Navy, with concerns regarding his “serious conflicts of interest,” given his financial investments in defense contractors. Senator Warren asked Mr. Phelan to make a number of commitments related to his conflicts of interest ahead of the committee vote on his nomination.
- In March 2025, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Deputy Defense Secretary Nominee Stephen Feinberg, urging him to recuse himself from all matters related to Ligado Networks. Mr. Feinberg’s private equity firm, Cerberus Capital Management, is heavily invested in Ligado, which has a pending $39 billion lawsuit against the Department of Defense (DoD) over highly sought-after telecommunications spectrum space that the military has said is “essential for its various satellite communications, radars and navigation systems” usage.
- In December 2020, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) reintroduced the Anti-Corruption & Public Integrity Act, to strengthen ethics laws and crack down on government officials’ conflicts of interest across the government.
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