Biden Appoints Chief of Staff

(Patria) – Newly elected US President Joe Biden has appointed Ron Klain, better known as 'Ebola Tsar' during Barack Obama's term, as his Chief of Staff.

Klain (59) was a fierce critic of Trump's approach and handling of the coronavirus epidemic in the US.

Biden, who had worked with Klain since the 1980s, praised his 'rich and diverse experience'.

- Ron was of key importance to me during many years of our cooperation, including working on saving the American economy from one of the biggest crises in our history in 2009, as well as during the public health crisis in 2014, Biden said, explaining that he chose Klain precisely because of his 'rich and diverse experience and capacity to work with all people across the political spectrum... as we face the current crisis and strive to reunite the country'.

Klain responded by saying it was his 'lifelong honor to serve President Biden'.

Klain has been in the US government for a long time. He worked with former Vice President Al Gore as his Chief of Staff, and Director of Staff for the Senate Democratic Leadership Committee. He was also involved in several Democratic presidential campaigns, including Biden's in 1988 and 2008. He also served as lead counsel for Al Gore during the 2000 presidential election.

From 2008 to 2011, Klain was Biden's Chief of Staff. His experience in global health and economic crises is of particular importance, which will be of great help to the new president in the context of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2014, Klain was appointed Ebola response coordinator, although he was initially criticized for his lack of public health experience.

Elizabeth Warren, a senator from Massachusetts who was in the Democratic presidential candidate race, also congratulated the newly elected Chief of Staff of the new US administration. She said Klain was an 'excellent choice for Chief of Staff. He understands the health and economic crisis, and has the experience to lead the new administration through crises'.