Joe Biden’s transition team announced a slate of national security nominees on Monday morning, including some familiar names. The former vice president revealed that he will tap former Secretary of State under the Obama administration, John Kerry, for a presidential nomination on climate change. Former deputy national security adviser Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence, and longtime Biden aide Tony Blinken will be Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State. Linda Thomas-Greenfield will be tapped to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Both Thomas-Greenfield and Kerry will be given seats on the National Security Council.
NEW: President-Elect @JoeBiden announces slew of nominations for top posts
— Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) November 23, 2020
-Tony Blinken, Secretary of State
-Alejandro Mayorkas, DHS Secretary
-Linda Thomas-Greenfield, UN Ambassdor
-John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
-Avril Haines, DNI
-Jake Sullivan, NSA pic.twitter.com/Q3sXXk7cJq
INBOX: President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy & National Security Team
— Karen Travers (@karentravers) November 23, 2020
Tony Blinken-Sec of State
Alejandro Mayorkas-DHS Secretary
Avril Haines-DNI
Linda Thomas-Greenfield-US Amb to UN
Jake Sullivan-Natl Security Advisor
John Kerry-Special envoy for climate pic.twitter.com/GGMsMO8wT2
Biden team makes it official: Antony Blinken, Secretary of State; Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security; Avril Haines, DNI; Linda Thomas-Greenfield, USUN; Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor; and John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) November 23, 2020
If confirmed, Alejandro Mayorkas would be the first Latino secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Haines would be the first woman named as intelligence chief.
This is a developing story.