Biden defends Cabinet picks after criticism: ‘most diverse cabinet’ in history

President elect Joe bidenJoe Biden Lawsuit Alleges 200,000 Georgian Voters Wrongly Purged from Registration List GOP Lawmaker Blames Newcomer for Presidential Voter Fraud Allegations Haaland is in competition to be first Native American to lead inside MORE in an interview Thursday, defended his cabinet choices as he faces pressure from critics who say his candidates are not diverse enough.

“I will keep my pledge that the administration, both inside the White House and outside the Cabinet, will be like the country,” Biden told CNN. Jake tapperJacob (Jake) Paul Tapper The Hill 12:30 PM Report – Presented by Capital One – Pressure mounts as UK approves COVID-19 vaccine Biden, Harris to sit with CNN’s Tapper in first interview Post-election spouse Jake Tapper jokes that he retained Giuliani to lean on sexiest man election fraud READ MORE Thursday.

The president-elect went on to tout his current slate of candidates as “the most diverse Cabinet anyone in American history has ever announced.”

Biden appointed Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a black woman, to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations and Alejandro mayorkasAlejandro Mayorkas redux of ‘wise men’: Biden’s national security team Immigrant to do homeland security DHS work targeting cybercriminals READ MORE to serve as security of homeland security. Mayorkas would be the first Latin person to fill the role if confirmed. He also appointed Avril Haines as director of national intelligence and Janet YellenJanet Louise Yellen Battle for Pentagon position in Biden Cabinet Black leaders are expressing concerns about representation in Biden’s administration. Pelosi and Schumer approve $ 8 billion plan as basis for stimulus talks | Poll: Most Americans support raising taxes on those earning at least 0K MORE to serve as Secretary of the Treasury. The two would be the first women to hold these positions.

In addition, Biden has appointed a diverse group of administration officials, including an all-female communications team.

Biden is expected to announce other Cabinet choices in the coming weeks, but black leaders have expressed concern over what many say is a lack of representation in the new administration.

“You see a lot of very capable, knowledgeable people providing information and using some of their knowledge in [their] domains, but there [is] no one on the civil rights community’s transition team, ”said NAACP President Derrick Johnson.

Biden said Thursday he was due to meet with the civil rights group next week.

“Their job is to push me,” Biden said, referring to advocacy organizations.

“My job is to keep my commitment to make the decisions,” he continued. “And when it’s all over, people will take a look and say, I promise you, you’ll see the most diverse Cabinet representative of all, Asian Americans, African Americans, Latinos. , LGBTQ, in all areas. “

Biden and elected vice president Kamala harrisKamala HarrisMiddle East: Diplomacy Quick Start Biden Hillicon Valley: GOP Chairman Says Defense Bill Skips Section 230 Repeal | Senate committee nominates candidate for FCC | Krebs Says Threats Against Election Officials ‘Undermine Democracy’ Senior Intelligence Official Says China Is Targeting Foreign Influence Over New Biden Administration READ MORE also responded to criticism from progressives that individuals from their party wing are not represented in the new administration.

“We’re not done yet, Jake, we’re not even halfway there,” Harris said.

Biden also noted that Mayorkas was a progressive and said there would be other progressives in the service of his administration.

“What I think people are saying is a lot of people are saying, am I going to pick a very, very important progressive who is in the House or the Senate right now,” Biden said. “As close as it is in terms of the House and the Senate, these are tough decisions to make,” he added, referring to the narrow margins in the chambers.

“I understand the push,” he said.