Biden Considers Buttigieg For Ambassadorship, Jones Or Garland For Attorney General

Topline

President-elect Joe Biden is reportedly looking to fill out his Cabinet with big name Democrats who recently lost a bid to climb the food chain, including Pete Buttigieg for an ambassador spot, and either Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) or judge Merrick Garland for attorney general. 

Key Facts

Biden may nominate Buttigieg for a prominent ambassador position, possibly China, according to Axios

Buttigieg, who launched a failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination this year but increased his profile as he won the Iowa caucus, is fluent in eight languages, but not Mandarin. 

Jones and Garland are the frontrunners for Biden’s attorney general spot, according to the Associated Press, though the president-elect’s thinking could change. 

Jones first gained notoriety after successfully prosecuting two Ku Klux Klan members for bombing a Baptist church in 1963; he then upset Republican Judge Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate election in 2017 before losing a bid for reelection in 2020. 

Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court by former President Barack Obama in 2016, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blocked the nomination from proceeding and left the seat open; Trump later filled the seat with Justice Neil Gorsuch in 2017. 

Key Background

Biden promised to nominate a diverse Cabinet that “looks like America” and has faced some criticism for not doing more to stick to that promise. The president-elect recently announced his intention to nominate retired general Lloyd Austin for secretary of defense, who would be the first Black person in that position if confirmed. However, Austin’s nomination could fail because of a law that bars military officials from serving as defense secretary within seven years of retiring from the military. Austin would require a Senate-approved “waiver” of sorts to serve, which some senators have objected to already.  

Crucial Quote

Buttigieg was one of the first 2020 presidential candidates to endorse Biden during the primary. Biden has said that Buttigieg—who campaigned for Biden down the stretch—reminds him of his son, Beau. “I don’t think I’ve ever done this before, but he reminds me of my son Beau,” Biden said in March. “I know that may not mean much to most people, but, to me, it’s the highest compliment I can give any man or woman.”

Tangent 

Biden is also reportedly considering former Obama-era deputy attorney general Sally Yates for the attorney general spot. However, there are concerns whether Yates would make it past the Senate due to her ties to GOP-fueled controversies arising from the Russia probe.

Speak Your Mind

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Get in Touch

350FansLike
100FollowersFollow
281FollowersFollow
150FollowersFollow

Recommend for You

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Subscribe and receive our weekly newsletter packed with awesome articles that really matters to you!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You might also like

The Psychology of Placing EV Chargers Along Roads Less...

Gil Tal lives in Davis, California, where winter daytime temperatures are in the mid-50s...

How Working From Home Could Save 11 Billion Road...

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has added his voice...

JPMorgan Backs UK Payments Technology Company Icon Solutions

LONDON: JPMorgan Chase & Co has made a strategic investment in Icon Solutions,...