Thursday 2 June 2022 11:31 PM Biden pushes BACK against claims there is a 'Blaxit' of 21 staff from the White ... trends now
Chief of Staff for President Biden's press office Amanda Finney (pictured) is departing the west wing amid reports of a 'Black staffer exodus' from the White House
The White House is pushing back on a report of a 'Blaxit' of staff departures, following a public report on 21 minority staffers leaving the staff since the start of the year.
The defense came in the form of a top Biden assistant, and went to every member of the entire executive office staff of an administration the president regular lauds as the most diverse in history.
The email, by Anne Filipic, assistant to the president and director of Management and Administration, gave assurances about the administration's commitment to hire diverse staffers and foster minority staffers who are already helping guide the administration.
It even made a specific commitment on the interview process for open jobs, pledging to vet 'no less than four candidates for each open White House role, with at least 50% of candidates identifying as diverse.'
The memo was obtained by the Grio, a publication that focuses on issues relevant to the African Americans.
It commits the administration to building 'from the ground up,' and says the administration is determined to 'further invest both in the experience of current staff and ensure that the White House team continues to be representative of America.'
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hailed departing staffer Amanda Finney Thursday and talked up a new program to pay White House interns, which she said would bring diversity to the administration
It also pledges 'concrete actions' on recruitment and retainment.
At the same time, White House officials told the publication the departing aides were 'seeking to get a needed break from the demands of government work and high-stakes politics.'
It comes from an administration that includes the first black woman vice president and the Senate confirmation of the first black female Supreme Court Justice, but nevertheless is facing complaints from staff members about their own circumstances.
The memo follows a Tuesday Politico report identifying the 'Blaxit' and featuring complaints by minority staffers about opportunities to move up the ladder.
On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the first black and openly gay person to hold the position, provided a sendoff to one of the departing staffers, Amanda Finney, days after it was revealed she is leaving to take on a new role in the Energy Department.
'As you know, our dear Amanda Finney is leaving us though her official title is Chief of Staff, Jen long ago gave her the honor the title of Mayor of the West Wing,' said Jean-Pierre, referencing her recently departed predecessor Jen Psaki.
'I know many of you do and adore her as we do you know that Amanda shines thanks to her charisma, her humor and ability to simply get things done,' she gushed, with Finney seated inside the White House briefing room.
She also touted a new policy of paying White House interns – and pitched it as a diversity proposal.
'President Biden and Vice President Harris know that for too long and too often. unpaid federal internships have been a barrier to hard working and talented students and professionals preventing many of them from contributing their talents and skills to the country. Paying White House interns will help ensure that those who receive internships at the White House reflect the diversity of America starting today,' she said.
White House officials also point to normal turnover, and natural departures for burned out staffers, some of whom also toiled on the campaign, as the administration approaches the 18 month mark.
Finney's departure was revealed the day after publication of the damning report
Finney is moving to the Energy Department for a senior communications post there – following her boss White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki's departure.
'Amanda is a brilliant leader whose skills have strengthened our team since the first days of the administration,' Jean-Pierre said in a statement to Bloomberg on her departure.
'We call her 'Mayor Finney' for a reason -- her passion, dedication and insight drives our team forward and have been critical to our success.'
Jean-Pierre has not yet named anyone to fill Finney's former role.
Biden's press shop is facing a big turnover, with a number of junior aides expected to leave in coming weeks for more senior roles in the federal government.
It all follows Psaki's departure last month.
The turnover comes amid reports of an exodus of black staffers – at least 21, according to a Tuesday report – due to the low prospect for promotion and low pay.
Finney will serve as the deputy director for public affairs at Energy and manage a team of nearly two dozen communication aids for the department.
'Amanda is simply indispensable and irreplaceable, and I am so grateful that I worked with her by my side every single day during my time as the press secretary,' Psaki said of Finney. 'I have no doubt she is going to continue to knock the socks off of everyone she works with in her next chapter.'
Finney's departure comes just weeks after former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (pictured May 25 on Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show) left her post and the White House prepares for a big shake up in the press office with a string of exits
Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said: 'She keeps the trains running and juggles the chaos with grace and smarts.'
Nearly two dozen black White House staffers have left the administration since late 2021 or are planning to leave soon due to an unsupportive work environment and little chance for promotion.
One former White House official told Politico in a Tuesday report that the noticeable number of black staffer departures has led to some aides calling it a