Biden announces further appointments to his new government

Among the assignments is Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond as senior consultant and director of his Office of Public Participation.

US President-elect Joe Biden announced new appointments to his government team on Tuesday, November 17, while President Donald Trump, with no public appearances, still does not acknowledge his electoral defeat.

After the appointment last week of his veteran adviser Ron Klain, a strong critic of Trump’s handling of the pandemic, as his next cabinet chief; Biden announced on Tuesday 17 several high-ranking campaign aides to fill other key positions on his team at the White House.

Among the assignments are Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond, his campaign co-chair, as senior advisor and director of his Office of Public Participation; and Jen O’Malley Dillon, his campaign manager, as deputy chief of staff.

Also that of Julissa Reynoso, who in the government of Barack Obama was Deputy Undersecretary of State for Latin America and Ambassador to Uruguay, as Chief of Staff of the First Lady.

Anthony Bernal, who has been deputy campaign director and an advisor and trusted person to the Biden family for more than a decade, has been named senior advisor to the first lady.

A controversial appointment of Biden’s adviser is Steve Ricchetti, who was Bill Clinton’s deputy chief of staff (1993-2001).

According to the Wall Street Journal, Richetti founded a lobbying firm with his brother Jeff in 2001, which he split from to work with Biden and which has won several contracts with pharmaceutical companies over the past year.

Some progressive groups have urged Biden to keep lobbyists out of his administration.

Other key appointments include those of Julie Rodríguez, Deputy Campaign Director and former assistant to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who will serve as director of the Intergovernmental Affairs Office at the White House; and Annie Tomasini, Biden’s chief of staff during the campaign, who will become COO of the Oval Office.

“These diverse, experienced and talented people demonstrate President-elect Biden’s commitment to building an administration that looks like America,” with “profound government experience,” Biden’s campaign said in a statement.

These appointments come as Trump continues to insist that he won the election and has filed several lawsuits in several states in an attempt to reverse the favorable results for Biden, claiming unfounded irregularities.