Biden reportedly likes a 'low-key' White House
As far as they'll have you know, some of President Biden's closest advisers don't exist — and he'd probably prefer to keep it that way.
In an article published by The New York Times on Tuesday, White House aides revealed the president "does not like profiles of his staff in the news," in some ways "undoing a longstanding Washington tradition in which staff members enjoy their own refracted fame."
The "aversion to attention-loving staff" is reportedly not because Mr. Biden prefers to hoard the spotlight; in fact, he actually enjoys when cabinet secretaries defend his policies on television, the Times writes. But the waters are muddied when advisers become celebrities themselves. Said Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to the president: "That is a very deliberate decision." Furthermore, the president has been burned before by self-proclaimed "gurus" and celebrity political consultants — aides say he "eventually solved that problem by surrounding himself with low-key people."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Biden's comparatively-invisible gang of aides and staff are seemingly "trying to set themselves apart from the drama of the Trump administration," especially as they push "once-in-a-generation" health and economic policies, the Times reports. Simply put, there isn't enough time for celebrity — they'd rather make good on Biden's campaign promise to be a normal, boring president. Not to mention COVID-19 restrictions have wiped traditional spotlight-sharing White House social events off the map.
Instead, the "least personality-driven West Wing in decades" is full of career government staffers who have already "proven themselves." Said White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain to the Times: most are "parents of young kids who put their off-hours energy into being parents, not into staff drama."
Read more at The New York Times.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Government shutdown looming? Blame the border
Talking Points Democrats and Republicans say funding for immigration enforcement is the budget battle's latest sticking point. That's about all they agree on.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Conservatives have not limited their attack on reproductive rights to the US'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Putin's preordained win marred by protests
speed read Voters participated in a silent protest — endorsed by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny — against the president
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's 'bloodbath' rhetoric draws scrutiny
speed read In a new speech, the former president seemingly promises violence if he loses the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russians start to vote in election Putin will win
speed read Putin's opponents are mostly in prison, exiled or dead
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Schumer slams Netanyahu, calls for new leader
speed read The senator — one of Israel's most avid supporters — criticized the country's handling of the Gaza war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Dakota governor sued over Texas dentist promo
speed read Gov. Kristi Noem posted a video testimonial that may have been an "undisclosed advertisement"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hur defends description of Biden's 'poor memory'
speed read Former special counsel Robert Hur defended disparaging remarks made about Biden's age in his report
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pentagon's surprise $300M for Ukraine
speed read The Pentagon is giving $300 million worth of military aid to Ukraine, mostly for ammunition
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump clinch nominations
speed read The current and former president have each secured enough delegates for an election rematch
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published