Neera Tanden to take over as Biden’s domestic policy chief, replacing Susan Rice.

Neera Tanden to Head Domestic Policy Office

Neera Tanden, a seasoned Democrat operative, will be taking over as head of the Domestic Policy Office, replacing Susan Rice. Tanden was previously nominated for the Office of Management and Budget but withdrew her nomination after losing support in the Senate due to her past tweets criticizing Republicans.

Despite the setback, President Joe Biden has found a new role for Tanden that doesn’t require congressional approval. In a statement, Biden expressed his pleasure in having Tanden continue to drive the formulation and implementation of his domestic policy, from economic mobility and racial equity to health care, immigration, and education.

Tweets Land Tanden in Trouble

Tanden’s past tweets criticizing Republicans and insulting several Republican lawmakers landed her in trouble during the OMB nomination process. She reportedly deleted more than 1,000 tweets when Biden announced her nomination.

One 2017 tweet read, “The Republican party is gleefully supporting an alleged child molester. And everyone who gives money to the RNC is doing the same.” In 2018, she said the “whole” Republican “party needs to be defeated” because of its support for Trump. Tanden also insulted Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), calling her “the worst.”

Susan Rice’s Mishandling of Policies

Susan Rice, who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, will be leaving her role on May 26 after a report found she mishandled policies surrounding care for migrant children. The New York Times reported last month that documents show Rice was aware the administration was quickly releasing unaccompanied migrant children into the country by the thousands.

Many of those children ended up working grueling jobs, often for long hours and in dangerous conditions where they worked with chemicals and industrial equipment. The Times report revealed Rice and her policy team failed to act, even as administration staffers called for stricter vetting of the sponsors migrant children were placed with to prevent human trafficking.

“It was maddening,” Vivian Graubard, a White House adviser who worked with Rice, said of the administration’s refusal to place more attention on migrant children’s sponsors. Five Health and Human Services staffers said they were pushed out of roles after highlighting concerns about child labor issues.