The White House has announced a change in its Communications Director, with Kate Bedingfield set to step down in February.
Taking her place will be Ben LaBolt, who will make history as the first openly gay White House Communications Director.
Bedingfield has been a crucial part of the Biden administration, serving as the White House Communications Director throughout the entire presidency.
Prior to her current role, she held three different communications leadership positions in the Obama-Biden administration, and served as Communications Director for Vice President Biden from 2015 to 2016.
She was also the Deputy Campaign Manager for President Biden during his 2020 presidential campaign.
LaBolt has led communications for the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and served on three presidential campaigns.
He also held communication positions in the Senate and House, including serving as the press secretary for then-Senator Barack Obama.
During the Biden-Harris transition, LaBolt served as an advisor on nominations.
In a statement, President Biden expressed his gratitude towards Bedingfield, saying, “Since my time as Vice President, Kate has been a loyal and trusted adviser, through thick and thin. She was a critical strategic voice from the very first day of my presidential campaign in 2019 and has been a key part of advancing my agenda in the White House.”
The country is better off as a result of her hard work and I’m so grateful to her – and to her husband and two young children – for giving so much,” he added.
Biden went on to express his excitement for LaBolt’s appointment, saying, “Ben has big shoes to fill. I look forward to welcoming him back as a first-rate communicator who’s shown his commitment to public service again and again, and who has a cutting-edge understanding of how Americans consume information.”
“I saw him fight for Justice Jackson, and he put his all into helping us make history confirming our cabinet and subcabinet nominees. I’m proud to have him rejoin this team,” Biden said.
Biden’s Chief of Staff Ron Klain, top economic advisor Brian Deese, and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh have all recently stepped down.
