Joe Biden names all-female senior White House communications team, the first in US history

Ahead of their January 20 swearing-in, US President elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris have sought to inject diversity in their appointments and nominations so far, as they have announced an all-female senior White House communications team, a first in the country’s history.

Among those named to be part of the communications team on Sunday was Jen Psaki who will serve as White House press secretary.

Psaki, aged 41, was communications director for former President Barack Obama’s administration.

“I am proud to announce today the first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women,” Biden said in a statement on Sunday November 29

“These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better.”

In addition to Psaki, six other appointments were announced including Kate Bedingfield, who was Biden’s deputy campaign manager, as White House communications director, Ashley Etienne as communications director for Harris and Symone Sanders as Harris’s senior adviser and chief spokesperson.

Pili Tobar was named deputy White House communications director and Karine Jean-Pierre will be principal deputy press secretary.

Other appointees include Elizabeth Alexander who was named communications director for incoming First Lady Jill Biden.

These appointments do not require Senate confirmation.

Biden has also named the first female head of intelligence and the first Latino chief of Homeland Security.

The president-elect has sought to move swiftly to assemble his team, despite President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede his loss in the November 3 election and continued baseless claims of voter fraud.