In the upcoming weeks, White House chief of staff Ron Klain, who has served as President Joe Biden’s senior advisor for more than two years, is expected to resign from his position, according to a person familiar with Klain’s plans.
The White House and Democrats had a better-than-expected showing in the November elections, boosted by several significant legislative accomplishments, such as a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a comprehensive climate, health care, and tax package that all Republicans rejected.
Klain’s expected departure occurs not long after that.
The change in personnel is also unusual for an administration that has had little turnover up to this point.
In stark contrast to Donald Trump’s White House, which frequently has staff unrest and other issues, no members of Biden’s Cabinet have resigned.
The New York Times was the first to report the development, and the person with knowledge of Klain’s plans spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to address the situation publicly.
Calls and emails to the White House seeking comment on Klain’s anticipated departure went unanswered.
Biden, who is spending the weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, chose not to react to shouted inquiries concerning the departure date for his chief of staff.
The White House is getting ready to adopt a more defensive stance now that Republicans have regained control of the House.
GOP legislators are preparing several inquiries into the Biden administration, looking at issues like the haphazard American pullout from Afghanistan and US border policy.
Additionally, Republicans have pledged to look into the president’s son, Hunter Biden.
Klain’s resignation also occurs as the White House attempts to limit the damage following the discovery of secret materials at Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at his previous institute in Washington, D.C., dating from the vice president’s administration.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to investigate the situation.
The president’s counselor Steve Richetti, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, former COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and White House senior adviser Anita Dunn are also on the shortlist to follow Klain.
Dunn, the first woman to hold the position, has openly stated that she has no interest in becoming chief of staff.
She was a pivotal contributor to the development of Biden’s political and communications strategy, including the “ultra-MAGA” framing of Republicans that helped Democrats exceed expectations during the 2022 midterms.
For the remainder of Vice President Biden’s first term, Zients has returned to the White House after serving in a low-profile capacity on the COVID-19 reaction team.
Richetti, a longtime lobbyist, took over as Biden’s final vice presidential chief of staff following Klain and senior adviser Bruce Reed.
Before joining the Cabinet, Walsh served as mayor of Boston.
Biden recently commended Walsh for his work on Friday.
Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, is currently serving as agriculture secretary for a second term after holding the position for the entire Obama administration.
He participated in Biden’s unsuccessful 1988 presidential campaign in Iowa as a volunteer.
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