US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday, announced several administration nominations that includes Obama-era officials such as former national security advisor Susan Rice as White House Domestic Policy Council director and ex-chief of staff Denis McDonough as veterans affairs secretary, reported AFP. 

Biden’s presidential transition team laid out the diverse nominations and appointments in a statement. 

Although Rice had been a contender for secretary of state, she was expected to face intense opposition from Republicans in the Senate confirmation process over her role in the Benghazi crisis of 2012, and that prestigious cabinet role went to close Biden advisor Antony Blinken.

As the head of Domestic Policy Council, the 56-year-old will into the president-elect’s White House inner circle. However, it may be seen as a surprise appointment given her experience in foreign policy. The position does not need confirmation from the Senate.

McDonough, who has been nominated to lead a veterans agency plagued by scandal in recent years, had  served multiple roles in Barack Obama’s administration. 

Tom Vilsack, Obama’s secretary of agriculture for two full terms, has been nominated to that same role under Biden.

The president-elect also chose international trade expert Katherine Tai to be the US trade representative and congresswoman Marcia Fudge to serve as secretary of housing and urban development.