By John Wagner (washingtonpost.com): Biden on Monday announced key foreign policy and national security picks, including making former secretary of state John F. Kerry a special envoy for climate.
Biden confirmed that he plans to name Antony Blinken as secretary of state, Jake Sullivan as national security adviser and Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Biden also announced that he plans to nominate Alejandro Mayorkas to lead homeland security and Avril Haines as director of national intelligence.
The announcement includes several potential firsts: Mayorkas, a former deputy secretary of homeland security, would be the first Latino to lead the Department of Homeland Security; while Haines, a former deputy director of the CIA, would be the first woman to head the intelligence community.
Biden said he would also restore the job of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to Cabinet-level status, further diversifying that body. Thomas-Greenfield is an African American woman.
“We have no time to lose when it comes to our national security and foreign policy,” Biden said in a statement. “I need a team ready on Day One to help me reclaim America’s seat at the head of the table, rally the world to meet the biggest challenges we face, and advance our security, prosperity, and values. This is the crux of that team.”
Biden’s transition team said that he would introduce the group at an event Tuesday.
Main Story:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/11/23/joe-biden-trump-transition-live-updates/
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