President Biden appointed former assistant in charge of Covid-19 response Jeff Zients as White House chief of staff, replacing Ron Klain.
“I see Jeff Zients handling some of the most difficult problems in government,” US President Joe Biden announced on January 27, announcing his decision to appoint a new White House chief of staff, replacing Ron Klain. President Biden explained making the decision based on Mr. Zients’ expertise in economics and health.
Mr. Zients is seen as a skilled technocrat who doesn’t have as many deep political connections as Mr. Klain, but will aim to secure previous legislative victories by the Biden government.
Under former President Barack Obama, when Biden was a deputy, Mr. Zients was involved in developing the American Recovery Act and was in charge of the government’s insurance exchange.
After Mr. Biden took office as US president, Mr. Zients was responsible for overseeing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Biden said Mr. Zients “handled a huge logistical work of historic proportions”.
Mr. Jeff Zients during a press conference in Wilmington, Delaware, USA in December 2020. Photo: Reuters.
Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain worked with President Biden throughout his decades of career, from senator to US leader. Mr. Klain’s departure is expected to cost Mr. Biden one of his closest and most trusted aides.
“For the past 36 years, Ron and I have been through real battles together. When you’re in the trenches with someone as long as Ron and me, you really get to know that person,” Biden said.
Mr. Klain is considered to be the head of complicated behind-the-scenes negotiations between the White House and US congressmen, as many of President Biden’s landmark bills were passed by both houses, some contrary to the plan. guess.
The White House chief of staff is responsible for managing the US president’s agenda and agenda, communicating with political power mediators, managing ongoing crises, and setting up the reception council. get ideas.
Nguyen Tien (Theo AFP, Reuters)