Ron Klain to Leave Biden Administration
President Joe Biden meets with Chief of Staff Ron Klain in the Oval Office on February 25, 2022 (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz).
“I have served longer than eight of the last nine Chiefs of Staff and have given this job my all; now it is time for someone else to take it on,” Klain said.
Article by Georgia Simon, Associate White House Reporter
WASHINGTON - White House Chief of Staff and long-time ally of the Biden-Harris administration, Ron Klain, will depart from his job after President Biden’s State of the Union address on Feb. 7th. Klain’s successor will be Jeff Zients, former Biden-Harris COVID-19 response coordinator.
“The halfway point of your first term - with two successful years behind us and key decisions on the next two years ahead - is the right time for this team to have fresh leadership,” Klain said.
In a statement released from the President, Biden explained that when he first was elected he knew that he wanted Klain as Chief of Staff because “he was uniquely qualified given his prior public service.”
“He knows how government works, how politics works, how Congress and the White House works. He is as tough, smart, determined, and persistent as anyone I have ever met,” the President said. “That’s why it is important to fill Ron’s shoes with someone who understands what it means to lead a team, and who is as focused on getting things done.”
Zients, who has more of a business background rather than politics, will be focused more on the implementation of policies and legislation whilst also managing the White House. Deputy White House Chief of Staff, Jen O’Malley Dillion, and Senior Advisor, Anita Dunn, will now be taking on more of the political aspect. Supplemental political advisors will also be hired.
As Klain is leaving, new conflicts are arising for the President as plenty of classified documents from his time as Vice President, keep being found at his properties across the northeast. Documents were found at his Delaware home and private offices, which has resulted in a special council being created to investigate President Biden.
Those familiar with the situation explained that although the timing is similar, Klain stepping down has nothing to do with the documents being found as the decision was finalized before. Sources said that Klain has been deliberating on a White House exit since the midterm elections. However, Klain has noted that if Biden was to run for reelection, he said that he would do “whatever I can to help your campaign.” Klain will also most likely remain involved, but this time externally.
Zients is not shy to this type of position, as he worked under the Obama Administration as acting director of the Office of Management and Budget as well as the director of the National Economic Council.
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer kept a strong relationship with Klain throughout his time as Chief of Staff. They often talked on the phone multiple times per day. He hopes to continue that tight connection with Zients.
“He’s organized, focused, and deliberate, exactly the right person to lead the Biden administration and ensure the American people see and feel the benefits of these new laws,” Schumer said about Zients.
With an anticipated reelection campaign to soon be announced, this would create job openings as much of the current staff could shift over to the 2024 operation. Many also have the choice after the two-year mark to fully leave the administration. A hunt, led by Zients, for potential replacements for top positions has already begun.
“The White House will host an official transition event to thank Ron for his tireless work and officially welcome Jeff back to the White House in this role,” President Biden said in a statement. “I’m confident that Jeff will continue Ron’s example of smart, steady leadership, as we continue to work hard every day for the people we were sent here to serve.”