Biden’s domestic policy adviser quits

White House domestic policy adviser Susan Rice is expected to step down after two years in the role, US President Joe Biden has announced.

During his tenure, Rice showed “constant leadership” to prove that “there is no one more capable and more determined to do things that matter to the American people,” Biden said in a statement Monday.

The president highlighted the adviser’s efforts in the areas of health care, gun and police reform, student debt, child care and immigration, among others.

“We reversed the harmful immigration policies of the previous administration, reunited more than 670 separated children with their families and rebuilt the broken system of care for unaccompanied children, putting their safety and well-being first. -be”, the statement read.

CBS News reported in 2021 that there were tensions between Rice, who supported more restrictive U.S.-Mexico border measures, and other — more liberal — members of the domestic policy council. According to Reuters, its efforts for faster release of unaccompanied minors to US sponsors has resulted in some children working in difficult illegal jobs.

Biden noted that Rice “made history” as the only person to serve as both national security adviser and domestic policy adviser. The 58-year-old was previously a national security adviser and envoy from Washington to the UN during the Obama administration.

Her appointment as security adviser in 2013 was surrounded by some controversy. While sent to the UN, she blamed the 2012 Benghazi attack, in which the US ambassador to Libya and other officials were killed, on a YouTube video critical of Islam. She later admitted that was a mistake.

Rice was a strong supporter of the US-led intervention in Libya in 2011, which toppled the country’s longtime leader, Muammar Gaddafi, and plunged the country into chaos. Later, she called for a similar incursion into Syria.

“What sets her apart as a leader and colleague is the seriousness with which she takes her role, the urgency and tenacity she brings, her penchant for action and results, and the integrity , the humility and humor with which she does this work”, Biden said of Rice.

Reasons for the adviser’s departure have not been announced, but it comes amid media reports that Biden could announce his 2024 re-election campaign as soon as Tuesday.

Rice said on Twitter that she was “deeply grateful” to the President for his trust and accountability. “There are no more dedicated officials” than the current White House team, she wrote, adding that she was “proud of all we have been able to accomplish together.

A senior administration official told NBC News that Rice’s last day of work would be May 16. According to Reuters, staff secretary and senior adviser to Biden, Neera Tanden, is expected to replace her.