In declaring “America is back,” President-elect Joe Biden introduced his top national security and foreign policy officials and said the incoming administration is ready to lead the world and once again sit at the head of the table.
Noting a sharp shift from outgoing Republican President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy over the past four years, Biden said the United States is “ready to confront our adversaries, not to reject our allies.” And ready to stand up for our values. ”Speaking from his transition center in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, Biden, a Democrat, introduced his six top officials and highlighted the need to rebuild partnerships, as well as address the coronavirus pandemic. and climate change.
World leaders, he said, were “waiting for the United States to reaffirm its historic role as a world leader in the Pacific, as well as the Atlantic, around the world.” Biden’s nominees and appointees, including Antony Blinken for secretary of state and former secretary of state John Kerry for a new position as special presidential envoy for climate, spoke for the first time since they were announced Monday by the transition team, and many of them offered implicit reproaches to President Trump and his isolationist and “America first” worldview.
“The team is right now, this team behind me,” Biden said.
“They represent my fundamental belief that America is stronger when it works with its allies,” he said. “This is how we really keep America safe without getting involved in unnecessary military conflict, and our adversaries in check and terrorists at bay,” he said.
“And it’s a team that reflects the fact that America is back, ready to lead the world, not to withdraw from it. Once again, sit at the head of the table, ”said the 78-year-old, who is scheduled to take office on January 20 as the 46th president of the United States despite incumbent Trump not releasing.
Biden said, “America leads not just by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.” He said the officials he has elected “will not only repair, but will reinvent American foreign policy and national security for the next generation. And they will tell me what I need to know, not what I want to know. “Aside from Blinken and Kerry, Biden also introduced his candidate Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security, Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence, Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Ambassador for United States to the United Nations and Jake Sullivan as National Security Advisor.
In his comments, Biden also referred to the formal letter of verification from the head of the General Services Administration published Monday, which allows his transition team to access critical information and funds related to public health and national security.
“I am pleased to have received verification from the GSA for a smooth and peaceful transition of power so that our teams can prepare to meet current challenges, control the pandemic, better rebuild, and protect the safety and security of the American people. “, said.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who will also be a member of Biden’s cabinet, also spoke at the event.
“Our challenge here is a necessary foundation to restore and promote our leadership around the world and we are ready for that job. “We will need to reassemble and renew America’s alliances, rebuild and strengthen the national security and foreign policy institutions that keep us safe and advance our nation’s interests, and confront and combat the existential threat of climate change that puts us at risk. danger to everyone, ”Harris said.
Meanwhile, President Trump has yet to admit defeat, tweeting that: “Our case continues STRONGLY” in reference to his campaign’s attempts to nullify the election results, falsely alleging widespread electoral fraud.
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