President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris set to Announce Large Portion of their National Security Team

 The Biden/Harris Transition is poised to make their first cabinet nominations today.

The President-Elect and Vice President-Elect have selected:

• Antony Blinklen for Secretary of State.
• Alejandro Mayorkas for Secretary of Homeland Security.
• Avril Haines for Director of National Intelligence. 
• Linda Thomas-Greenfield for United Nations Ambassador. 

 

Former Vice President Biden and Senator Harris also announced that the following White House National Security Staff positions would be filled:

• Jake Sullivan for National Security Advisor.
• Former Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry for Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

Please click here to view the biographies of these selections.

Earlier today and last week, the Biden/Harris Transition announced these additions to the White House Operation Staff. These are:

• Mala Adiga, Policy Director to Dr. Jill Biden.
• Reema Dodin for Deputy Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs
• Carlos Elizondo for White House Social Secretary.
• Shuwanza Goff – Deputy Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs
• Cathy Russell for Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.
• Louisa Terrell, Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

Please click here to view their biographies.

If confirmed, Mr. Mayorkas would become the first Latino Homeland Security Secretary.

Ms. Haines would be the first woman Director of National Intelligence.

Mr. Kerry is the first person to be named an envoy on climate which demonstrates the President-Elect and Vice President-Elects commitment to fighting climate change.

Of the Biden team's first  22 Cabinet and White House Staff choices, 12 are women.

Many of these selections have had prior experience of working either with Mr. Biden, Hillary Clinton or in positions throughout the Obama Administration.

Unlike most of his soon-to-be predecessor's first selections for these positions, these nominees are skilled at governing.

In an email to supporters announcing his National Security and Foreign Policy nominees, the President-Elect wrote:

"The men and women I am announcing today will be core members of my national security, foreign policy, and law enforcement, team. They are experienced and crisis-tested. They will keep us safe and secure. And, they are leaders who look like America and reflect my core belief that America is back and that we lead not just by the example of our power, but by the power of our example."

 

The Biden/Harris team still has to announce their choices for Secretary for Defense, CIA Director, FBI Director, and various cabinet and national security staff deputies.

Those should be coming relatively soon.

This article may be updated after the official presentation of the nominees is made.