If confirmed, Buttigieg would become the first openly LGBTQ US cabinet official. In assembling his team, Biden is emphasising experience and diversity, drawing heavily on past Democratic administrations’ personnel, particularly the 2009-17 Obama administrations, where Biden was vice-president. This has opened Biden to jibes that his will be ‘the third Obama administration’.
Not appointing ideologues from either Democratic Party wing will help Biden keep party peace for as long as possible.
Trump-supporting Republicans will be even more resistant to Biden’s agenda than the Tea Party was to Obama’s.
In practice, Biden cannot swiftly and immediately undo President Donald Trump’s actions across all areas.
National security policy could align with Obama’s, especially if Islamist terrorism resurges.
