The epidemic situation in the United States continued to deteriorate. On the 25th, more than 180,000 new cases were confirmed, more than 2,000 people died, and nearly 12.8 million people were infected. However, a large number of people continue to ignore expert warnings and prepare to go out with their families and hold parties during Thanksgiving. US President-elect Biden delivered a national speech in Wilmington, Delaware on the 25th, calling on citizens to avoid large gatherings with relatives and friends during the holiday season and to unite in the fight against the epidemic. After a delay of nearly three weeks, the transition work of the Biden team began gradually. The U.S. State Department has sent an internal email to notify the staff of the handover.
Biden said that the epidemic has made the American people divided, angry, and bored. He called on the public to have a safe Thanksgiving, wear masks and maintain social distancing, and revealed that his family will not hold large gatherings as in previous years. He emphasized that wearing masks and maintaining social distancing are not political statements, but scientific epidemic prevention measures. He believes that the virus will eventually be overcome and life will be back on track.
Former Fed No. 2 or Economic Advisor
Biden received a letter from the Federal Service Agency on the 23rd stating that the transfer of power can be initiated. It is reported that Biden has been allowed to listen to the president’s daily briefing, hold video conferences with the Pentagon, and plan to meet with officials from the CDC and the Ministry of Health to discuss vaccine distribution and other matters. He said that the handover was smooth and did not lag far behind.
Secretary of State Pompeo confirmed on the 24th that the handover would be carried out in accordance with the General Services Administration’s arrangements. However, he criticized the Biden administration for “living in a fantasy world,” and said that he had not spoken to Blincol, the secretary of state nominee. The State Council issued an internal email on the 25th, appointing a special team to assist Biden’s transition team to ensure that they receive the necessary information and logistical support.
Following the appearance of the first six members of the Guoan diplomatic team, Biden will announce the nominees for the economic team on December 2. In addition to the former Fed Chairman Yellen expected to become Treasury Secretary, Biden is considering inviting former Fed Vice Chairman Ferguson and BlackRock executives Diss to serve as White House economic advisers.
Ferguson served as the vice chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1999 to 2006. After the “9.11” terrorist attack, he replaced the then Fed Chairman Greenspan, who was forced to stay in Switzerland at the time, in charge of the Federal Reserve, and stabilized the economic situation. If he enters the White House, he will become the first African-American to head the National Economic Council. Diss was former President Obama’s senior adviser on climate, environmental protection and energy.
CIA director popular defended waterboarding
According to people familiar with the matter, Biden intends to nominate Donilon, a senior diplomat and national security assistant during the Obama era, as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The other candidate is Morrel, who served as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the CIA under Obama. The relationship between the CIA and the White House has been strained over the past four years. Trump has pointedly pointed out that the CIA is part of a “deep government” conspiracy to try to undermine his presidency.
Both Donilon and Morrel are experienced veterans, familiar with the highest level of national security system. But Morrel has defended the CIA’s use of torture in the past. He once mentioned in the book that waterboarding is “one of the two most effective methods of torture (the other is sleep deprivation).” However, the Senate report on the torture program found that interrogation methods, including waterboarding, were not effective in obtaining intelligence.
The analysis pointed out that Morrel’s attitude was interpreted by many leftists as defending torture. If Biden chooses Morrel, he will surpass the “red line” of left-wingers in the party. Progressive Democrats feel that the candidates Biden currently nominates are too institutionalized and centrist, “Although they don’t like it, they are acceptable.”
When Biden announced the first team members, the media was surprised that the candidate for the defense chief had not yet been determined. Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Flournoy was too close to the defense contractor and disagreements with Biden on issues such as the Syrian war. At one point, there was a sign of a fever.
Flournoy received public support from several progressive lawmakers and disarmament advocates on the 25th. Longman, chairman of the Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, and Spear, chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, said in a joint statement that day that they support Flornois as the defense secretary.
Regarding whether China plans to contact the Biden team, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on the 26th that maintaining the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations is in the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American peoples. China is willing to strengthen communication with the US, focus on cooperation, and control. Disagreement.
