Biden climate envoy John Kerry continues to withhold the names of staffers

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry’s response to a freedom of information act request concerning his office’s staff fell short of complete transparency.

The Boston Herald reported that Kerry’s response to the request left out the names of the people on his staff and redacted the titles of the top eight aides. The newspaper wasn’t able to tell whether Kerry is on the list.

Kerry’s office has a budget of $4.3 million a year, and the top eight aides are paid $186,680 annually.

The State Department, under which Kerry’s office operates, said it withholds names of government employees and some titles under the “foreseeable harm” standard, meaning it would “constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of an individual’s privacy.”

Kerry had said he won’t share full details about his staff until October, a month before the Nov. 5 presidential election.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., is also seeking information about Kerry’s operations.

Last week, Comer launched a probe seeking documents to determine whether or how much Kerry coordinates with environmental organizations seeking to eliminate the use of coal.

In a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Comer details the frustration the committee has had trying to get documents from Kerry concerning his activities.

“It took Committee requests spanning the 117th and 118 th Congresses and the threat of compulsory process for the State Department to begin,” complying with requests, Comer wrote.