If many of the incoming Biden administration members look familiar, they should. Many appointees of Joe Biden were former members of the Obama administration. Among them is Biden’s recent, somewhat curious, pick to head up the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Denis McDonough.

McDonough is certainly experienced. He was Obama’s chief of staff during his second term and was the deputy national security adviser. He and the president-elect are reportedly very close. If he’s confirmed, McDonough will be only the second person without military experience to lead the department of veterans affairs.

McDonough was saying all the right things at a recent press conference that announced several Biden administration appointees. 

“Taking care of our veterans is not a job for the VA alone,” McDonough said. “Every federal department and agency has a role to play. And I will fight like hell to make that happen.”