A liberal group is unhappy with President-elect Joe Biden’s picks to serve in his administration, particularly pointing fingers at Rep. Cedric Richmond and Steve Ricchetti.
Justice Democrats’ Executive Director Alexandra Rojas referred to Richmond and Ricchetti as “corporate-friendly insiders” and said that the two selections could be a hindrance to electing far-left Democrats to Congress.
“If Joe Biden continues making corporate-friendly appointments to his White House, he will risk quickly fracturing the hard-earned goodwill his team built with progressives to defeat Donald Trump,” Rojas said.
A Joe Biden administration dominated by corporate-friendly insiders will not help usher in the most progressive Democratic administration in generations.
This move gives greater urgency for Joe Biden to create an Office of Climate Mobilization on Day 1 and appoint progressives. pic.twitter.com/xkSszuza1q
— Justice Democrats (@justicedems) November 17, 2020
Today, Biden unveiled more staffers to fill his White House in January. Richmond will serve as senior adviser and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Ricchetti, a former pharmaceutical lobbyist, will serve as a counselor to Biden. Ricchetti previously served as Biden’s former chief of staff and campaign chairman during the Obama White House.
Richmond’s job shift will trigger a special election in Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District.
Rojas attacked Ricchetti for his past lobbying efforts, alleging he could get in the way of passing universal healthcare reforms.
“Steve Ricchetti is a former pharma lobbyist and has represented groups vociferous opposed to Medicare For All and the public manufacturing of prescription drugs,” Rojas said. The director added that Richmond may hinder progress on climate change initiatives, saying that he is “one of the top Democratic recipients of fossil fuel money.”
The Justice Democrats describe themselves on Twitter as “Building the Squad,” adding that they help elect lawmakers such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, and Cori Bush.
Other names Biden announced for positions include Dana Remus, who will serve as White House counsel, longtime confidant Mike Donilon for senior adviser, and Jen O’Malley Dillon for deputy chief of staff.
Despite Biden moving forward with building his staff, President Trump has declined to concede the election. His campaign has filed several lawsuits challenging the results in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. His refusal to concede has slowed the transition process, with the General Services Administration not signing off on a transfer of power that would give Biden’s team access to office space and resources.
