President-elect Joe Biden began forming his administration as he prepared to take office in January, naming a team to help him deal with a historic global epidemic, rebuild the economy, combat climate change and restructure US foreign policy. Beginning with his selection to lead the Foreign Office, the Department of Homeland Security and other national security positions, the Biden Alternative Committee has been rapidly examining candidates for a variety of cabinet jobs in recent days and weeks. With the exception of John Kerry, who took Biden to serve as the “Global Climate Tsar” at the White House, all of these positions require Senate approval – no small task that could be a chamber under Republican control. Despite selecting a number of candidates of historical significance for their roles – including Janet Yellen as the first female Treasury Secretary and General Lloyd Austin as the first Black Defense Secretary – Biden faces dismissal from lawmakers and activists. Color, many more white, male faces in his administration feel he is in a position of power. Politico maintains a list of Biden’s nominees for cabinet positions and a combination of unfilled positions: