BREAKING: Joe Biden Adviser Resigns!

Susan Rice, Joe Biden’s domestic policy adviser, is stepping down from her position and leaving the White House.

“I surprised a lot of people when I named Ambassador Susan Rice as my Domestic Policy Advisor,” Biden said.

“Susan was synonymous with foreign policy, having previously served as National Security Advisor and UN Ambassador. But what I knew then and what we all know now – after more than two years of her steady leadership of the Domestic Policy Council – it’s clear: there is no one more capable, and more determined to get important things done for the American people than Susan Rice.”

A senior administration official said Rice’s last day will be May 26th, per NBC News.

Susan Rice to step down as Biden's domestic policy chief

by @carolelee https://t.co/b9I6IK0o4H

— Natasha Korecki (@natashakorecki) April 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/KarliBonnita/status/1650491611766222850

From NBC News:

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients said Rice, who served as national security adviser during the Obama administration, has been critical to driving Biden’s agenda and has taken the Domestic Policy Council “to new heights.”

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“It is extraordinary when you think about what she’s done in terms of public service across her career, capped off by being the first person ever to be the national security adviser and domestic policy adviser,” said Zients, who has known Rice since high school. “It really speaks a lot to her leadership and her range.”

The process for Biden to select Rice’s successor will include candidates both inside and outside the White House, a second senior administration official said.

Whomever Biden names to serve as domestic policy adviser for the remainder of his term will face much less of the policymaking sprint, including on legislation, that Rice did, and focus more on implementing existing policies and some additional executive actions.

“Susan was there during this two-year period where there was just an incredible and historic burst of policymaking, and the next year and a half is going to be different. It’s going to call for a different approach to policy,” said Brian Deese, who worked closely with Rice while serving as director of the National Economic Council.

“The role and the requirements for the role are going to be different, and I think they’ll take that into consideration,” Deese added, referring to the president and his top aides.

Fox News added further comments from Biden and the domestic policy agenda Rice helped formulate.

“Thanks to her tireless efforts, we expanded and strengthened the Affordable Care Act, released a comprehensive national mental health strategy, and finally enabled Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors and cap the cost of insulin at $35,” the statement continued. “We’ve taken historic actions to reduce gun violence and advance police reform. We are addressing our failed approach to marijuana. We have embedded equity into the work of the entire federal government. We are making college more affordable and accessible and providing student debt relief. We are increasing access to high quality child care and long-term care. We have committed to a bold national strategy to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030. We reversed the harmful immigration policies of the previous Administration, reunified more than 670 children separated from their families, and rebuilt the broken system of care for unaccompanied children, putting their safety and well-being first and foremost. The list goes on, and would not have been possible without Susan.”

“As the only person to serve as both National Security Advisor and Domestic Policy Advisor, Susan’s record of public service makes history,” Biden said. “But what sets her apart as a leader and colleague is the seriousness with which she takes her role and the urgency and tenacity she brings, her bias towards action and results, and the integrity, humility and humor with which she does this work. I thank Susan for her service, her counsel and her friendship. I will miss her.”

“I also want to thank her husband Ian and her children Jake and Maris for yet again sharing Susan with us,” the president added.

“I am deeply grateful to @potus for trusting and empowering me to serve as his Domestic Policy Advisor,” Rice wrote on Twitter in response to the White House announcement. “I love the team @DPC and in the @WhiteHouse. There are no more dedicated public servants. I am so proud of all we have been able to accomplish together for the American people.”

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Citing two people with knowledge of deliberations, Politico reported that Neera Tanden, Biden’s staff secretary and a senior adviser, was being considered among others to replace Rice. Though, no replacement has been finalized, a top White House official separately told the outlet.