Washington, D.C. — Today, President-elect Joe Biden’s transition office announced his intent to nominate Tony Blinken as secretary of state, Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Avril Haines as director of national intelligence, Alejandro Mayorkas as secretary of homeland security, Jake Sullivan as national security adviser, and John Kerry as special presidential envoy for climate. In response, Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
These well-respected national security experts and diplomats are the best of the best—experienced and filled with integrity. The appointments send a loud and clear message to the American people: Our foreign policy will be dedicated to advancing the interests of all Americans and will advance the values that we all share. And to the world, these appointments are a resounding affirmation that America is back. Our nation will reestablish itself as a leader to stand up for its friends and allies, support democracy and human rights, bring climate issues to the forefront of our foreign policy, and work with international institutions that bolster the interests of all nations. They will help restore trust in our national security institutions, end the Trump administration’s horrific and immoral family separation policy, and build a more fair, humane, and workable immigration system that serves the national interest. At a time when our foreign policy could not be more critical to the well-being of the American people—and when American leadership could not be more important to tackling the challenges the world faces—we could not have better leaders at the helm.
For more information or to talk to an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.