The president of United States, Joe Bidenannounced this Friday that it has requested the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Bill Burnswho is part of his cabinet.
“Bill has always given me a clear and direct analysis that puts the safety of the American people first, reflecting the integral role he plays the cia in our national security decision-making at this critical moment,” the president said in a note released by the White House.
Biden said of Burns that he has earned the respect of his agency staff, that he leads “with dignity” and “represents the best of America,” which is why he said he was “looking forward to” work with he in the next years.
His inclusion in the presidential cabinet will not give the director of the CIA no new poweraccording to the newspaper The Washington Postbut underlines the influence that the diplomat, appointed to head the CIA in March 2021, has in the Democratic Administration.
Under his leadership, Biden added, the CIA has provided a clear and long-term focus on the main national security challenges from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to managing “responsible competition” with China and the opportunities and risks of new technologies.
The presidential cabinet, which advises the president on any issue related to their respective functions, is made up of the secretaries of all departments, such as State, Antony Blinken, or Treasury, Janet Yellen; as well as the attorney general, Merrick Garland, and the heads of some federal agencies.
