Biden admin. reassigns Interior Dept. staffer who planned 50-person indoor party

The White House is reassigning an Interior Department official after she not too long ago planned a 50-person indoor party in the course of the coronavirus pandemic, in keeping with studies. 

The gathering, organized by division Chief of Staff Jennifer Van der Heide, was planned contained in the Interior Department library to have fun Secretary Deb Haaland’s affirmation. However, the White House canceled it final week earlier than invites had been despatched out over fears it could possibly be a superspreader occasion, in keeping with Politico. 

White House officers additionally expressed considerations about holding the gathering because the Biden administration,, has urged Americans to take the virus severely, studies mentioned. Coronavirus guidelines in Washington, D.C., limit indoor gatherings to 10 folks, together with the hosts. 

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Van der Heide was moved to a senior counselor job on the company, two Biden administration officers instructed the information outlet. One official mentioned the party was “the thing that broke the camel’s back,” and was the “latest lapse in judgment” for her.

The official added that Van der Heide’s party-planning sped up the job change, whereas one other official famous she was already focused for a distinct function, in keeping with Politico. 

Van der Heide will stay on the Interior Department as a senior counselor to Haaland. Larry Roberts, an Obama administration official who served because the company’s performing assistant director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, will take over as the brand new chief of workers.

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“Jennifer Van der Heide is an invaluable member of the Biden Administration and the leadership at the Department of the Interior,” mentioned White House spokesperson Vedant Patel. “She will continue serving in the administration and Secretary Haaland as a Senior Counselor within the Department. Larry Roberts, who previously served under President Obama and has extensive knowledge of the Interior Department, will assume the Chief of Staff role.”

Last yr, the previous administration of President Trump drew scrutiny for holding a White House occasion asserting the nomination of Amy Coney Barret to the Supreme Court, which led to quite a few folks testing optimistic for the virus. The party planned by Van der Heide was scheduled to have fewer attendees, nevertheless it will have been held indoors — not like the Rose Garden occasion.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indoor occasions, “particularly in locations with poor air flow, pose more risk than outdoor events.”

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Biden not too long ago mentioned baseball’s Texas Rangers made a “mistake” opening their ballpark to full capability for the beginning of the 2021 season.