White House communications director Kate Bedingfield stepping down in latest admin departure

"The country is better off as a result of her hard work and I’m so grateful to her – and to her husband and two young children – for giving so much."

By Ben Whedon

White House communications director Kate Bedingfield plans to step down from her post at the end of February, marking the latest staffing change for the Biden administration in a shakeup that has even reached the cabinet.

The White House confirmed Bedingfield's plans on Friday and President Joe Biden lauded her support. Ben Labolt, a transition advisor to the Biden administration, will replace her.

"Since my time as Vice President, Kate has been a loyal and trusted adviser, through thick and thin," Biden said in a press statement. "She was a critical strategic voice from the very first day of my presidential campaign in 2019 and has been a key part of advancing my agenda in the White House."

"The country is better off as a result of her hard work and I’m so grateful to her – and to her husband and two young children – for giving so much," he continued.

"Ben has big shoes to fill. I look forward to welcoming him back as a first-rate communicator who’s shown his commitment to public service again and again, and who has a cutting-edge understanding of how Americans consume information," Biden said of his new communications director. "I saw him fight for Justice Jackson, and he put his all into helping us make history confirming our cabinet and subcabinet nominees. I’m proud to have him rejoin this team."

Bedingfield's departure follows that of White House chief of staff Ron Klain, who left the administration in early February and comes amid news that Labor Secretary Marty Walsh will leave the administration for a position with the National Hockey League Players' Association.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.