"Biden Expected to Begin First Cabinet Appointments Next Week... Secretary of State Blinken Mentioned"

Internet Media Axios Reports... A Safe Appointment Minimizing Republican Backlash
Avril Haines, Former CIA Deputy Director, Likely for White House National Security Advisor

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] Foreign media reported on the 20th (local time) that President-elect Joe Biden has decided on the nominee for Secretary of State, the first foreign affairs chief of the new administration. Biden had previously announced at a press conference that the nominee for Secretary of the Treasury had also been finalized, signaling that the cabinet appointments are expected to be officially announced next week.

The online media Axios reported that Biden is moving quickly to form a cabinet that can be confirmed by the Senate and is expected to announce several top-level nominees next week. Both the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury nominees are expected to aim at calming the confirmation battles with the Republicans and internal conflicts with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. The initial cabinet appointments are expected to focus on nominating moderate figures who can minimize opposition from both the progressive Democrats internally and Senate Republicans externally.

Some Democrats close to Biden told Axios that Tony Blinken, former Deputy Secretary of State, is expected to be nominated as the new Secretary of State. The media reported, citing sources, that the nominee chosen by Biden is not Susan Rice, former White House National Security Advisor.

The political media outlet The Hill also stated that Blinken, a longtime foreign policy and security aide to Biden who served as Deputy Secretary of State and Deputy National Security Advisor in the Obama administration, is widely regarded as a suitable candidate for Secretary of State across the political spectrum. Other candidates mentioned for Secretary of State include Senator Chris Coons, Senator Chris Murphy, and former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns.

However, Biden’s aides refused to confirm Blinken’s nomination, Axios reported.

If Blinken, who was also considered for the White House National Security Advisor position, is appointed Secretary of State, Avril Haines, a female official who served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the Obama administration, is considered a strong candidate for National Security Advisor, Axios reported. However, it was added that former advisor Rice could also take another position within the administration. Axios evaluated Rice’s 'rejection' as a signal that Biden does not want to start his term in a confrontational phase.

Foreign media reported that Biden faces a dilemma as he must consider Senate confirmation and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which demands a share in the cabinet citing their contribution to the election victory.

At a press conference the previous day, he said he had already decided on the new Secretary of the Treasury, describing the nominee as "someone acceptable to both progressives and moderates within the Democratic Party." Wall Street is mentioning former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen in this regard. Bloomberg News analyzed that Yellen, who has called for strong climate change measures such as imposing a carbon tax, is a figure that the progressive wing of the Democratic Party would welcome.