Biden Cabinet's First Appointments Announced on the 24th

Trump Begins Formal Transition Despite 'Mongni' Resistance
Hurries Administration Appointments Following White House Steps

Ron Klain, White House Chief of Staff Nominee
[Image Source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] President-elect Joe Biden will announce his first cabinet appointments on the 24th (local time). Despite the blatant disregard from the Donald Trump administration, Biden is accelerating his steps toward the launch of the next government.

Ron Klain, the designated White House Chief of Staff, said in an interview with ABC's This Week on the 22nd (local time), "We will see the president-elect's first cabinet appointments this Tuesday (24th)."

On the 19th, Biden held a press conference and announced that he had selected a candidate for Treasury Secretary, describing the person as someone recognized by both the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party. He had mentioned that the announcement would be made around Thanksgiving on the 26th.

Klain, the designated Chief of Staff, refrained from specifics, saying, "If you want to know which department and who will take the position, you will have to wait until the president-elect speaks directly on the 24th."

In U.S. political circles, the prevailing expectation is that Biden will first appoint key cabinet members such as Secretary of State, Defense, and Treasury, and announce other cabinet nominees after confirming the results of the Georgia Senate elections held on January 5 next year.

It is anticipated that the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury will be individuals who are not white males, such as women or African Americans.

Klain also raised his voice about ongoing setbacks, stating that the federal procurement agency has not supported the transition process, resulting in delays in vetting the cabinet nominees.

Klain also confirmed that Biden's inauguration ceremony on January 20 next year will be scaled down due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

He said, "It definitely won't be the kind of inauguration we used to have," adding, "We want to find a way to celebrate as safely as possible."

Klain strongly criticized President Trump's attempts to overturn the election results as "corrosive," but Jen Psaki, senior advisor to the Biden transition team, said in an interview with CNN, "Legal action is not our preferred option."