John Kerry, serving as the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, is reportedly planning to step down from his role in the coming months. His departure is intended to support President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. The news of Kerry’s impending resignation was first reported by Axios.
Kerry, who ran for president in 2004, has been a prominent figure in the Biden administration. He became the first person to hold the position of U.S. special presidential envoy for climate when Biden was inaugurated in January 2021. Kerry had previously endorsed Biden for president in 2019, expressing his belief in Biden’s leadership and character.
During his tenure, Kerry’s role, which was created by Biden without Senate approval, faced scrutiny from Republicans. In July, more than two dozen Republicans introduced legislation intended to defund Kerry’s position. They criticized him as the face of the administration’s anti-energy policies, which they claimed were harming the U.S. economy and national security.
Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) specifically targeted Kerry’s role as climate czar, associating him with policies that negatively impact energy production and national security. Additionally, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) accused Kerry of lacking transparency about his office’s operations.
Kerry’s position and responsibilities have been a topic of debate, especially concerning the administration’s approach to climate and energy policies. His resignation marks a significant transition in the Biden administration’s climate strategy as the U.S. heads into another presidential election cycle. The White House has not yet announced Kerry’s replacement or detailed plans for the transition.