[ad_1]
Washington – President-elect Joe Biden officially announced the new members of his national security and foreign policy teams on Tuesday, several of whom are set to make history if their appointments are approved by the Senate.
“America is back. Ready to rule the world, not to walk away,” Biden said in his remarks, noting that his administration would mark a return to traditional diplomacy. He said the foreign leaders he spoke to said they “look forward to the United States reaffirming its historic role as a world leader.”
Mr Biden’s transition team revealed on Monday nominees and appointees to national security and foreign policy positions, including Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of National Intelligence, Ambassador to the United Nations, National Security Advisor and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. . Mr Biden praised his candidates, highlighting their professional experience and personal background.
“I am proud to present this incredible team who will lead by example,” said Mr. Biden. He added that “this team will make us proud to be Americans”.
The President-elect announced:
- Antony Blinken for Secretary of State
- Alejandro Mayorkas for the Secretary of Internal Security
- Avril Haines for Director of National Intelligence
- Linda Thomas-Greenfield for United States Ambassador to the United Nations
- Jake Sullivan as National Security Advisor
- John Kerry as Special Presidential Climate Envoy
Carolyn Kaster / AP
If confirmed by the Senate, Haines will be the first woman to serve as director of national intelligence, while Mayorkas will be the first secretary for immigrants and Latino in the history of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr Biden said Blinken would “boost morale and confidence in the State Department,” and said he was “proud” to name Mayorkas as the first “immigrant, a Latino, who knows we are a nation of laws and values ”. He noted that Thomas-Greenfield, a black woman, had grown up in segregated Louisiana and was the first in her family to graduate from high school and college.
Mr. Biden’s remarks tacitly pitted his experienced candidates against President Trump’s cabinet choices, many of whom were inexperienced. His new cabinet will also be much more diverse than Mr. Trump’s, which was dominated by white males. Along with his candidates, Biden also made it clear that he sees the pandemic and climate change as national security concerns. The president-elect noted that for the first time ever, “there will be a director in the National Security Council who can ensure that climate change is on the agenda in the situation room.”
“The world will know that when one of my closest friends John Kerry speaks for America on one of the most pressing threats of our time,” Mr. Biden said. In brief remarks after Mr. Biden’s speech, Kerry said the Biden administration would remain focused on protecting “God’s creation.”
“President Joe Biden will trust God – and he will also trust science to guide our work on Earth to protect God’s creation,” Kerry said.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
He also implored the currently Republican-controlled Senate to treat its candidates with respect and encouraged them to cross the aisle and work with the Democrats in the White House.
“I hope these exceptional candidates will receive a quick hearing,” Biden said.
Each of Mr. Biden’s candidates spoke briefly, thanking their families and mentors and pledging to work to serve Americans.
“America is back, multilateralism is back, diplomacy is back,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris hailed the candidates as “patriots and officials at heart.” She also stressed the importance of appointing such a diverse cabinet.
“When Joe asked me to be his vice president, he told me about his commitment to making sure we choose a cabinet that looks like America,” Harris said.
Mr Biden’s announcement comes after the General Service Administration – three weeks after polling day – sent a letter to the president-elect on Monday, confirming that he and Harris were the apparent winners in the election, thus allowing to the formal transition process to begin. The letter from GSA administrator Emily Murphy opens access to $ 6.3 million in federal funding, office space and government agencies.
Murphy said in the letter that she made her decision due to “recent developments involving legal challenges and certifications of election results.” Michigan certified its election results on Monday, and Pennsylvania did so on Tuesday. President Trump’s campaign has staged several unsuccessful legal battles to try to block certification of results in Pennsylvania.
[ad_2]
Source link