US President Joe Biden has named Jeff Zients, a longstanding aide who supervised his massive COVID-19 response operation, as the next White House Chief of Staff.&nbsp;Zients previously served in the Obama administration.

Ron Klain, who has held the role for more than two years, will be replaced by Zients. A formal transition ceremony would take place at the White House the following week, as per President&nbsp;Biden.

For an administration that has seen minimal turnover at its top ranks and across the Cabinet, the transition is the first significant personnel change.

Zients, 56, will be entrusted with overseeing White House operations, at Biden's key two-year point, when the Democratic administration transitions from enacting ambitious goals to implementing those policies and fending off Republican attempts to undermine the accomplishments.&nbsp;

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Zients is also in charge of guiding the White House as it grapples to control the fallout from the discovery of classified documents at Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at his former institute in Washington, which has sparked a special counsel investigation, as reported by the Associated Press.&nbsp;

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It's critical, according to Biden, to replace Klain with someone who knows what it takes to manage a team and is as committed to getting things done.

“I’ve seen Jeff Zients tackle some of the toughest issues in government. When I was the Vice President, I first got to know him at the beginning of the Obama-Biden Administration, working closely on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act implementation as Zients was a leader at the Office of Management and Budget,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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US President Joe Biden has named Jeff Zients, a longstanding aide who supervised his massive COVID-19 response operation, as the next White House Chief of Staff.

US President Joe Biden has named Jeff Zients, a longstanding aide who supervised his massive COVID-19 response operation, as the next White House Chief of Staff. Zients previously served in the Obama administration. Ron Klain, who has held the role for more than two years, will be replaced by Zients. A formal transition ceremony would take place at the White House the following week, as per President Biden. For an administration that has seen minimal turnover at its top ranks and across the Cabinet, the transition is the first significant personnel change. Zients, 56, will be entrusted with overseeing White House operations, at Biden's key two-year point, when the Democratic administration transitions from enacting ambitious goals to implementing those policies and fending off Republican attempts to undermine the accomplishments. Also read | US military kills senior Islamic State figure in US raid in Somalia Zients is also in charge of guiding the White House as it grapples to control the fallout from the discovery of classified documents at Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at his former institute in Washington, which has sparked a special counsel investigation, as reported by the Associated Press. Also watch | US Senate Democrats call for probe into 'JR-15' child-size rifle It's critical, according to Biden, to replace Klain with someone who knows what it takes to manage a team and is as committed to getting things done. “I’ve seen Jeff Zients tackle some of the toughest issues in government. When I was the Vice President, I first got to know him at the beginning of the Obama-Biden Administration, working closely on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act implementation as Zients was a leader at the Office of Management and Budget,” he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: President Biden names Jeff Zients as new White House chief of staff

Jeff Zients is soon to replace Ron Klain to become the next White House chief of staff in the coming weeks, reports CNN citing sources. Though the sources said that Klain will continue to remain close to the West Wing, Zients' role will hold great prominence given the crucial time when Biden is in a tough spot over the new special counsel investigation into his handling of classified documents.&nbsp;

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Zients was in a significantly high position in the Obama administration and also ran for Joe Biden's COVID-19 response effort.&nbsp;He not only led as COVID-19 response coordinator but also impressed Joe Biden with the job. During the Obama administration, he also helped with the 2013 launch of HealthCare.gov.&nbsp;

The key post in the Biden administration will be held by Zients at an important juncture when Biden is yet to decide if he will run for 2024 re-election. The decision by the Biden administration came after an internal search which clarified that Klain wanted Zients as his successor for the key post.&nbsp;

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Klain also confided earlier in Zients to lead a talent search for expected staff turnover following the midterm elections. While managing his close relations with Biden, Zients is also close to multiple Cabinet members. His role in the West Wing is now poised to come face-to-face with the new House Republican majority and investigations into the Biden administration and his family.

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Though he does not seem to hold much clout inside the current Biden administration as much as Klain, but his technocratic skills are likely to bore fruit for him.&nbsp;Biden’s core political and legislative team which includes Steve Ricchetti, Anita Dunn, Mike Donilon, Jen O’Malley Dillon, Bruce Reed and Louisa Terrell will continue to advise him.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Jeff Zients is soon to replace Ron Klain to become the next White House chief of staff in the coming weeks, reports CNN citing sources. Though the sources said that Klain will continue to remain close to the West Wing, Zients' role will hold great prominence given the crucial time when Biden is in a tough spot over the new special counsel investigation into his handling of classified documents.

Jeff Zients is soon to replace Ron Klain to become the next White House chief of staff in the coming weeks, reports CNN citing sources. Though the sources said that Klain will continue to remain close to the West Wing, Zients' role will hold great prominence given the crucial time when Biden is in a tough spot over the new special counsel investigation into his handling of classified documents. ALSO READ | US military captures IS members in Syrian helicopter raid Zients was in a significantly high position in the Obama administration and also ran for Joe Biden's COVID-19 response effort. He not only led as COVID-19 response coordinator but also impressed Joe Biden with the job. During the Obama administration, he also helped with the 2013 launch of HealthCare.gov. The key post in the Biden administration will be held by Zients at an important juncture when Biden is yet to decide if he will run for 2024 re-election. The decision by the Biden administration came after an internal search which clarified that Klain wanted Zients as his successor for the key post. ALSO READ | US: Investigators find six more classified documents at President Biden’s home in Delaware Klain also confided earlier in Zients to lead a talent search for expected staff turnover following the midterm elections. While managing his close relations with Biden, Zients is also close to multiple Cabinet members. His role in the West Wing is now poised to come face-to-face with the new House Republican majority and investigations into the Biden administration and his family. WATCH | Journalist Ray Locker talks about Monterey Park shooting incident Though he does not seem to hold much clout inside the current Biden administration as much as Klain, but his technocratic skills are likely to bore fruit for him. Biden’s core political and legislative team which includes Steve Ricchetti, Anita Dunn, Mike Donilon, Jen O’Malley Dillon, Bruce Reed and Louisa Terrell will continue to advise him. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Who is Jeff Zients, soon to replace Ron Klain, as White House chief of staff?

According to reports, US President Joe Biden is set to name Jeff Zients as his next White House chief of staff, after it had emerged on Saturday that the president's current chief, Ron Klain, plans to step down.

Reports: US President Joe Biden to name Jeff Zients as new White House chief of staff

The United States is closer to getting the coronavirus pandemic under control and health officials are focused on the next challenge: getting more Americans vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said on Sunday.

"I would say we are turning the corner," Zients said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union."

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Zients said about 58% of American adults have received at least one coronavirus vaccine shot. The task now is to continue building confidence in vaccines and get enough Americans vaccinated to mitigate the spread of the virus and its variants, he said.

US health officials are aiming to meet President Joe Biden's goal of 70% of American adults having at least one shot by the July 4, US Independence Day.

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Zients said reaching that goal could help the country reach a sustainable low level of infections.

About 46% of all Americans have received at least one coronavirus vaccine shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr&nbsp;Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said another surge in coronavirus infections would be unlikely if the Biden goal is met or exceeded.

"The larger proportion of the population that's vaccinated, the less likelihood that in a season like the coming fall or winter you're going to see a significant surge," Fauci said on NBC's&nbsp;"Meet the Press."

"That's the reason why vaccinations are so important. That's the wild card that we have now that we didn't have last fall or the last winter."

Zients defended the latest masking guidelines from the CDC, which recommends that fully vaccinated people should still wear masks at crowded outdoor events or when they go indoors in public settings with other people who may not be vaccinated.

Some health experts have questioned whether the CDC guidelines are too strict, and that removing the indoor mask mandate for fully vaccinated people could encourage confidence in the vaccines. That move would not, however, protect unvaccinated people from contracting the virus from a carrier who has been vaccinated.

The CDC guidelines will over time allow more people to take off their masks, Zients said, while acknowledging Americans' mask fatigue.

"We're getting there," Zients said. "And the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter and brighter. Let's keep up our guard."

The United States is closer to getting the coronavirus pandemic under control and health officials are focused on the next challenge: getting more Americans vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said on Sunday.

The United States is closer to getting the coronavirus pandemic under control and health officials are focused on the next challenge: getting more Americans vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said on Sunday. "I would say we are turning the corner," Zients said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union." Also read | US is likely 'undercounting' Covid deaths, says Dr Fauci Zients said about 58% of American adults have received at least one coronavirus vaccine shot. The task now is to continue building confidence in vaccines and get enough Americans vaccinated to mitigate the spread of the virus and its variants, he said. US health officials are aiming to meet President Joe Biden's goal of 70% of American adults having at least one shot by the July 4, US Independence Day. Also read | EU set to let vaccinated US tourists visit this summer Zients said reaching that goal could help the country reach a sustainable low level of infections. About 46% of all Americans have received at least one coronavirus vaccine shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said another surge in coronavirus infections would be unlikely if the Biden goal is met or exceeded. "The larger proportion of the population that's vaccinated, the less likelihood that in a season like the coming fall or winter you're going to see a significant surge," Fauci said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "That's the reason why vaccinations are so important. That's the wild card that we have now that we didn't have last fall or the last winter." Zients defended the latest masking guidelines from the CDC, which recommends that fully vaccinated people should still wear masks at crowded outdoor events or when they go indoors in public settings with other people who may not be vaccinated. Some health experts have questioned whether the CDC guidelines are too strict, and that removing the indoor mask mandate for fully vaccinated people could encourage confidence in the vaccines. That move would not, however, protect unvaccinated people from contracting the virus from a carrier who has been vaccinated. The CDC guidelines will over time allow more people to take off their masks, Zients said, while acknowledging Americans' mask fatigue. "We're getting there," Zients said. "And the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter and brighter. Let's keep up our guard."

US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator

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US: President Biden names Jeff Zients as new White House chief of staff

Who is Jeff Zients, soon to replace Ron Klain, as White House chief of staff?

Reports: US President Joe Biden to name Jeff Zients as new White House chief of staff

US turning a corner on pandemic, says White House coordinator