It was reported last week that Jeff Zients had been tapped as President Joe Biden's new chief of staff after former chief Ron Klain stunned Washington D.C. last week with an announcement that he'll soon resign.
But according to the Daily Caller, it was on Friday that President Biden made the news official, announcing that Zients, his former Coronavirus response coordinator, is the person he chose for the high-profile position.
BREAKING: Jeff Zients, who seemingly violated civil rights laws and US Constitution in leading Biden WH operation to censor Americans through Big Tech on Covid issue, set to be new Biden Chief of Staff.
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) January 22, 2023
The DC noted that Klain's departure and his replacement being named is seen as the biggest staffing shakeup in the White House since Biden took office.
In a White House statement on the appointment, Biden sang Zients' praises.
"He was later handed the daunting and complicated task of fixing healthcare.gov, which he did successfully, helping get millions of Americans quality, affordable health insurance. He led the National Economic Council, and shares my focus on strengthening our economy to work for everyone. He helped manage our Administration’s transition into office under incredibly trying circumstances," the president wrote.
Biden added: "Thanks to Jeff, we had a historically diverse team in place on Day 1 ready to go to work. And he led our COVID response, a massive logistical undertaking of historic proportions."
He went on to say that he believes Zients "will continue Ron’s example of smart, steady leadership, as we continue to work hard every day for the people we were sent here to serve."
Biden noted that Zients will start his new position at the White House next week at a "transition event" for Klain.
Republicans on Twitter tore into the president's new man, pointing out a number of missteps made during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the infamous "winter of death" prediction.
Meet Joe Biden’s new chief of staff, Jeff Zients:
“For the unvaccinated, you’re looking at a winter of severe illness and death.” pic.twitter.com/ijV6hEZDxd
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 27, 2023
Biden picked former-COVID czar Jeff Zients as his new Chief Of Staff
The man who came up with this: pic.twitter.com/gdS8qgd7ON
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 22, 2023
Zients also happens to be a very wealthy individual, worth an estimated $150 million.
Only time will tell if Zients can maintain some semblance of a presidency in the coming weeks and months. Klain's role is likely a massive role to fill, as many believe he was quietly calling shots for the current president the whole time. Who knows?