Thread by @DrewHolden360

Quick🧵(1/6)

We haven’t talked much about it, but Biden’s cabinet is chock full of lobbyists.

Here’s a quick rundown of top Biden appointees:

💰CoS Klein lobbied for asbestos & Fannie Mae (& others)

💰DHS chief Mayorkas is currently a partner at lobbying shop Wilmer Cutler

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💰SecState Blinken currently runs a consulting shop called WestExec

💰 WestExec comes up often.
DNI Avril Haynes is a former WestExec partner

💰NSA Sullivan was at consulting firm Macro Advisory Partners, where he worked on behalf of Uber and others

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💰Counselor Riccheti is one of DCs best known lobbyists, working with the Podesta bros & on health care + other topics

💰Leg Affairs Director Terrell is a former lobbyist at Facebook

💰John Kerry is, well, John Kerry

Despite this, we see only puff pieces on his team.

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You may remember that, during the Trump transition back in 2016, the role of Washington insiders was a nonstop topic of discussion.

Here’s just a smattering from @NPR, @nytimes, @CNN and @TIME

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Now, Trump does probably deserve more flak than Biden on this - he ran on a campaign of draining the swamp, you’ll remember - but I don’t think the collective position has now become “actually lobbyists are good and fine.”

Reporting should reflect that.

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But I’m not holding my breath.

So get ready for more puff. The folks in the media have been licking their lips for a return to “normalcy” in a Biden Admin.

“Normal” also means a friendly relationship between the Admin and the press, which is bad for everyone.