Biden's team: Who to enter US government?

Joe Biden

Open source

In December 2020, President-elect Joe Biden made a promise. He has pledged to form the most racially and gender-diverse Cabinet in US history.

Later, within a few weeks, the names of those who would be nominated by Biden for the ministers of the new US government were announced. They still have to go through the hearing procedure in the relevant committees of the Congress. But, as a rule, this procedure is rather formal.

Now more specifically about those who would enter the Biden Cabinet.

U.S. Secretary of State

Anthony Blinken

Open source

Before appointment:

- Deputy National Security Advisor (2013-2015);

- Deputy Secretary of State (2015-2017) under President Barack Obama;

During Bill Clinton's presidency, Blinken worked in the State Department and held senior positions in the staff of the National Security Council.

Political views: called Turkey "an important US ally", criticized Trump's decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, called Brexit "a complete mess."

As the BBC clarifies, Blinken became one of the first American diplomats to announce in 2014 that the United States is studying the possibility of transferring lethal weapons to Ukraine.

He also stressed that the United States is "deeply committed to the future of Ukraine and its success." Blinken has repeatedly stated that Moscow is involved in the events in Donbas.

U.S. Treasury Secretary

Janet Yellen

Open source

Before appointment:

- Chairman of the US Federal Reserve System (2014-2018);

- A member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (1994-1997, 2010-2018). She chaired the Council of Economic Advisers under President Bill Clinton (1997-1999).

As of November 2020, Yellen was a Research Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Defense Minister

Lloyd Austin

Lloyd Austin

Open source

Austin is a four-star army general. Served as Commander of the US Central Command. He was the last commander of the US Armed Forces during the Iraqi Operation New Dawn, which ended in December 2011.

Attorney General

Merrick Garland

Open source

Before appointment:

- Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (2013 - 2020).

Minister of Internal Affairs

Deb Haaland

Open source

Before appointment:

United States Representative for the 1st Congressional District of New Mexico. Former chairman of the New Mexico Democratic Party.

One of the first two Indian women to be elected to the US Congress.

May become the first Native American woman to head the Interior Ministry, and the first Native American woman in the US government in the history of this country.

Minister of Agriculture

Tom Vilsack

Open source

Before appointment:

- US Secretary of Agriculture (2009-2017)

- Governor of Iowa (1999-2007);

- Mayor of Mount Pleasant (1987-1992).

Minister of Commerce

Gina Raimondo

Open source

Before appointment:

- Treasurer General of Rhode Island (2011-2015);

- Governor of Rhode Island (2015-present).

Minister of Labor

Marty Walsh

Open source

Before appointment:

- Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1997-2014);

- Mayor of Boston (2014-present).

Minister of Health and Human Services

Xavier Becerra

Open source

Former member of the California State Assembly and still the current California Attorney General.

Deputy Minister of Health

Rachel Levine

Open source

It is not for nothing that we dwelt on the candidacy of the Deputy Minister of Health. Rachel Levine is the first transgender person to hold a federal office.

According to the Voice of America, Levine is a pediatrician. Since 2017, she has headed the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development

Marcia Fudge