Susan Rice is stepping down from her position as President Joe Biden’s domestic policy adviser NBC News is reporting. Rice has been a controversial figure since her time in the Obama administration.
Rice’s last day in the White House will be May 26, a senior administration official told NBC. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients said:
“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.
“It really speaks a lot to her leadership and her range.”
Brian Deese said:
“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.
“The role and the requirements for the role are going to be different, and I think they’ll take that into consideration.”
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki said:
“She’s a policy wonk.
“So, in that sense it was just learning new-ish policy issues.”
Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain said:
“Susan is blunt and direct, and some people find that style effective; some people I think are intimidated by it.
“But she was a great colleague and great mentor to a lot of young people in the White House.”
Deputy White House Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley Dillon said:
“The country and the American people are better, more secure because of her leadership.”
According to NBC:
The timing of Rice’s departure also coincides with a growing controversy over the White House’s handling of migrant children who arrive unaccompanied at the southern border amid questions about whether the White House, including Rice, ignored warnings that sponsors of migrant children were making them work grueling jobs in violation of child labor laws.
The White House has said that is not the case. A senior administration official said Rice is proud of her work on the border.
Administration officials said the controversy has nothing to do with Rice’s decision to leave, which they said was already in the works.
Is it happening? Is Susan Rice the first to fall? One can only hope this is just the start…. pic.twitter.com/bQbAlyBylk
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) April 24, 2023
Domestic Policy Council Director Susan Rice is stepping down.
Rice, the first person to serve as National Security Advisor and Domestic Policy Council Director, has faced scrutiny for her role in managing immigration policy. pic.twitter.com/zg1v6tiUzd
— The Recount (@therecount) April 24, 2023