Deputy Attorney General
Lisa Monaco
Confirmation needed
Announced Jan. 7, 2021
The position: Manages the day-to-day operations of the Justice Department.
The person: Lisa Monaco was President Barack Obama's top adviser on homeland security and counterterrorism. She spent 15 years at the Justice Department, first as a career federal prosecutor, and eventually becoming the assistant attorney general for national security.
Associate Attorney General
Vanita Gupta
Confirmation needed
Announced Jan. 7, 2021
The position: Oversees civil rights and civil litigation for the Justice Department.
The person: Vanita Gupta is the CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. She was the acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division during the Obama administration and led reviews of police departments in Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore.
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Rochelle Walensky
No Confirmation needed
Announced Dec. 7, 2020
The position: Oversees federal efforts to protect against and respond to public health threats.
The person: Dr. Rochelle Walensky is chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is an expert on virus testing, prevention and treatment.
Surgeon General
Dr. Vivek Murthy
Confirmed by Senate
(Vote: 57-43)
Announced Dec. 7, 2020
Confirmed March 23, 2021
The position: Providing public health information and advice. Oversees the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
The person: Dr. Vivek Murthy was also surgeon general during the Obama administration. He is a physician and research scientist and has advised Biden on COVID-19 issues.
Chairperson, Council on Environmental Quality
Brenda Mallory
Confirmation needed
Announced Dec. 17, 2020
The position: Assists with environmental policy implementation, working directly with the president and respective agencies involved.
The person: Brenda Mallory was general counsel to the Council on Environmental Quality during the Obama administration and has held senior legal roles within the Environmental Protection Agency. She now works at the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Deanne Criswell
Confirmation needed
Announced Jan. 15, 2021
The position: Leads federal response to disasters and emergencies.
The person: Deanne Criswell leads New York City's emergency management department, which has led the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, she worked at FEMA as a senior officer leading emergency responses and was a firefighter in the Colorado Air National Guard.