Now in its second yr, the Biden White Home is seeing some personnel modifications — second gentleman Doug Emhoff's chief of employees introduced she'll be leaving the job quickly.
In a letter to the second gentleman's workplace, obtained solely by CBS Information, chief of employees Julie Mason introduced her departure, calling it one of many "hardest selections," she's ever made however "the appropriate one" for her kids. Katie Peters, who's at the moment communications director for Emhoff's workplace, will function performing chief of employees till a everlasting alternative is chosen.
Mason, who has been Emhoff's chief of employees since Inauguration Day, has had a number of stints within the White Home, working in each the Obama and Clinton administrations within the president's press workplace, in addition to the places of work of the primary and second girls. She was additionally the communications director for then-second girl Jill Biden throughout Obama's 2012 reelection marketing campaign.
In response to a supply acquainted with her determination, Mason is stepping again from public service to deal with her household and spend the summer season together with her two kids.
Emhoff, an legal professional, had restricted expertise in politics earlier than assuming the position of second gentleman. A White Home official says Mason's expertise performed a "vital position" in shaping the workplace and political technique for the second gentleman. Emhoff is the nation's first second gentleman.
Throughout his first yr as second gentleman, Emhoff traveled to Japan — the place he led the U.S. delegation to attend the Paralympic Video games. He additionally joined his spouse, Vice President Kamala Harris, on a visit to Paris, the place his personal schedule of occasions emphasised points like gender fairness. He has centered on drawing consideration to points like the necessity for high quality childcare and the excessive job losses that struck ladies through the COVID-19 pandemic. Emhoff has additionally traveled to dozens of states in his present position, aiding the administration's vaccination efforts.
The letter outlined different modifications within the second gentleman's workplace. Some members of the staff are shifting to new jobs within the administration. Megha Bhattacharya has been promoted to a brand new position within the West Wing and Rukku Singla, Emhoff's former head of coverage, will be a part of the Labor Division as a coverage adviser for the "Good Jobs Initiative." Inside Emhoff's workplace, Zaina Javaid shall be promoted to director of public engagement and coverage.
Workers modifications aren't unusual after an administration's first yr. There have been a number of departures from the president and vp's places of work, with officers shifting into different authorities businesses or into the personal sector.
Ed O'Keefe and Nancy Cordes contributed to this report