Castro says ‘there’s still work to do’ on Biden Cabinet diversity

Former Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro on Saturday commended President-elect Joe Biden on his Cabinet picks thus far, but added that “there’s still work to do” with regard to his forthcoming administration’s diversity. 

CNN’s Ana Cabrera asked Castro if he felt like Latinos were adequately represented in Biden’s Cabinet picks thus far, mentioning that the former vice president has chosen California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Alejandro Mayorkas as the next secretary of the Homeland Security Department (DHS).

“Well I mean I think it’s a work in progress,” Castro responded. 

“Certainly, Mr. Mayorkas and Attorney General Becerra are talented; they’re going to be great additions to the Cabinet. I was glad to see the nomination of Rep. [Marcia] Fudge [D-Ohio] at my old stomping grounds at HUD. At the same time there are many more Cabinet positions that still need to be filled. So I think it’s a work in progress” he added.

Biden tapped Fudge to be his nominee to head HUD this week after she was passed over for the role of Agriculture secretary.

Liberal groups and lawmakers bristled at the former vice president’s decision to nominate former secretary of Agriculture Tom Vislack, a white man, to the position after serving in the same role under president Obama. 

Progressive groups and lawmakers including the Sunrise Movement and a coalition of indigenous and progressive groups have also pressed the Biden transition team to nominate Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to head the Department of the Interior. 

The groups called on Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a contender for the position, on Thursday to drop out of contention. 

Haaland’s pick would be historic, as a Native American has never served in a Cabinet position. 

Castro also mentioned this fact during his interview with CNN. “We have not had in our nation’s history an appointed Cabinet member who was Native American. We had a vice president who was a member of a tribe, but not a Cabinet member. You know, I think that that should change in 2020. It’s long overdue.”

When asked whether the Biden-Harris administration reached to Castro for a request to helm a remaining Cabinet position, he declined, noting, “I was very honored to serve President Obama.”

“I have no doubt that the team that President-elect Biden assembles … is going to be super talented,” the former HUD secretary said.