Joe Biden Announces Jeff Zients as New White House Chief of Staff, Replacing Ron Klain

President Joe Biden announced Jeff Zients on Friday as his next White House chief of staff, replacing Ron Klain who has served in the role since Biden’s election in 2020.

Biden praised Klain in a statement Friday morning, saying he was “as tough, smart, determined, and persistent as anyone I have ever met.” He also said he was “confident that Jeff will continue Ron’s example of smart, steady leadership.”

Zients is an experienced technocrat who headed Biden’s administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also expected to help Biden prepare for his reelection bid while facing an onslaught of investigations from a newly empowered House Republican majority.

Klain has served as Biden’s chief of staff since his election in 2020. During his tenure, Klain has overseen the passage of consequential legislation like the massive infrastructure bill and the Democrats’ climate, health care and tax law, as well as dozens of judges confirmed in the first two years. He has also been responsible for the rocky withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Biden said there will be an “official transition” event at the White House next week to “thank Ron for his tireless work and officially welcome Jeff back to the White House in this role.” Zients is expected to take over as chief of staff shortly after the event.