President-elect Joe Biden is assembling his inner circle of advisers and Cabinet officials as Inauguration Day on Jan. 20 draws closer.
In his latest selection, Biden tapped Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., to lead the Department of Transportation. Buttigieg has not previously served in federal office but gained national prominence during his presidential bid in the 2020 Democratic primaries. If confirmed, he will be the first openly LGBTQ person to serve in a permanent Cabinet role.
NPR is providing information on the members of the Biden team as they are announced for the White House, national security, economic policy, additional Cabinet positions and other positions, including CDC director and economic advisers.
White House
As Biden begins to act on some of his early promises, he is naming close advisers and aides to work with him in the White House — people who will run operations and brief him on top matters of national security, the economy and other key issues. Most of these officials do not need U.S. Senate confirmation. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and soon-to-be first lady Jill Biden also are naming their top aides.
KEY WHITE HOUSE STAFF
Chief of Staff – Ron Klain
Deputy Chief of Staff – Jen O’Malley Dillon
Counselor to the President – Steve Ricchetti
Counselor to the President – Jeff Zients
National Security Adviser – Jake Sullivan
Director, Office of Management and Budget – Neera Tanden
Director, National Economic Council – Brian Deese
Director, Domestic Policy Council – Susan Rice
Director, Office of Public Engagement – Cedric Richmond
Senior Adviser to the President – Mike Donilon
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate – John Kerry
Director, Office of Legislative Affairs – Louisa Terrell
Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs – Julie Chávez Rodriguez
Director, White House Office of Presidential Personnel – Cathy Russell
Counsel to the President – Dana Remus
Communications Director – Kate Bedingfield
Press Secretary – Jen Psaki
Chief of Staff for the Vice President – Tina Flournoy
Chief Spokesperson for the Vice President – Symone Sanders
Chief of Staff for the First Lady – Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon
Economic policy
As the U.S. continues to fight through a recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, increased focus will be on whom Biden picks to lead his economic, financial and trade policies. Many of these nominees will play crucial roles in determining further coronavirus relief aid. These positions must be confirmed by the Senate.
ECONOMIC POLICY
Secretary of the Treasury – Janet Yellen
Chairperson, Council of Economic Advisers – Cecilia Rouse
U.S. Trade Representative – Katherine Tai
National security
Biden will also nominate officials to lead the federal government’s domestic and international security efforts. These officials will oversee U.S. intelligence and defense as well as spearhead relations with world leaders and international coalitions. All of these officials must also be confirmed by the Senate, with the exception of the new climate position in the National Security Council.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Secretary of State – Antony Blinken
Secretary of Defense – Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin
Secretary of Homeland Security – Alejandro Mayorkas
Director of National Intelligence – Avril Haines
Ambassador to the United Nations – Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Additional members of Biden’s Cabinet
Biden will overhaul departments to remove Trump appointees and nominate officials who will carry out his policy agenda. These officials require Senate confirmation.
OTHER CABINET POSITIONS
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Xavier Becerra
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development – Marcia Fudge
Secretary of Agriculture – Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Denis McDonough
Secretary of Transportation – Pete Buttigieg
This page was originally published on Nov. 17 at 11:49 a.m. ET.
Michael Ruark 