Inauguration Day 2021: Meet Biden’s record-breaking A Team

The Biden administration is set to confirm a barrier-breaking cabinet that includes some huge firsts for US politics.

The Biden administration is trying to confirm a barrier-breaking cabinet that includes the first woman to serve as treasury secretary, the first black defence secretary, the first transgender federal official, the first openly gay man confirmed to a Cabinet role and the first Native American Cabinet secretary.

If confirmed they will join his record-setting inner-circle, with his professor wife Jill Biden pledging to be the first First Lady to continue working for a wage and his deputy Kamala Harris the first female and also the first black vice president.

Team Biden includes:

Kamala Harris, 56

After a disappointing turn in the Democratic primary presidential race, the former California attorney general returned to the ticket with a number of firsts, including being the first stepmother to be Vice President-elect.

Kamala Harris is set to be sworn in as Vice President. Picture: AFP

Powerhouse Jill Biden is considered to be her husband’s greatest asset. Picture: Getty

Joe Biden with his youngest and only surviving son Hunter. Picture: Getty

Jill Biden, 69

A literature professor who has pledged to return to teaching as well as the education advocacy she championed in her eight years as Second Lady, Dr Biden is a marathon-running grandmother of five who is regularly described as Joe Biden’s biggest asset.

Hunter Biden, 50

Mr Biden’s youngest and only surviving son has never been comfortable in the public spotlight drawn by his father’s years in Washington. The father of three has been open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol and questions about his dealings with foreign countries while his father was vice president have dogged Mr Biden for the past four years.

Treasury secretary nominee Janet Yellen. Picture: AFP

Janet Yellen, 74

The economist was the first woman to be chair of the of the Federal Reserve and is on track to become the first female Treasury Secretary.

US Army General Lloyd Austin after being formally nominated to be Secretary of the Department of Defence. Picture: AFP

Pete Buttigieg, 38

A former mayor from South Bend Indiana, Mr Buttigieg is Mr Biden’s youngest cabinet pick. He was the first openly gay presidential candidate for a major party and has been nominated to head the Department of Transportation.

Pete Buttigieg is Joe Biden’s youngest Cabinet pick. Picture: AFP

Gina Raimondo, 49

The Rhode Island Governor had been considered for Mr Biden’s vice president and will serve as Commerce Secretary.

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo delivers a speech after Joe Biden announces her as his Commerce Secretary nominee. Picture: AFP

Dr Rachel Levine is set to be the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the US Senate. Picture: AFP

Vivek Murthy, 43

Dr Murthy was formerly Barack Obama’s Surgeon General and will return to the role if he is confirmed.

Rachel Levine, 64

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine was nominated to be assistant secretary of health and is poised to become the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the US Senate.

Tom Vilsack is Joe Biden’s nominee to head the Department of Agriculture. Picture: AFP

Deb Haaland, 60

The New Mexico congresswoman is slated to lead the Department of the Interior and if confirmed will be the first Native American Cabinet secretary.

Congresswoman Deb Haaland could be the first Native American Cabinet Secretary. Picture: AFP

Lloyd Austin, 67

A former four star Army general who led all US troops in the Middle East, General Austin would be the first black Defence Secretary in US history.

Tom Vilsack, 70

If confirmed, the former Iowa Governor will be one of two Obama administration members to reprise his role in the Biden White House.

Originally published as Inauguration Day 2021: Meet Biden’s record-breaking A Team