President Joe Biden’s personal aide, Stephen Goepfert, is leaving the White House for another role.
CNN reported on Tuesday that Goepfert is leaving for a role at the Transportation Department.
“From the campaign to the White House, Stephen Goepfert has been by my side,” Biden said in a statement.
He added, “In moments big, small, and extraordinary, he’s been a trusted and loyal confidant who everyone counts on and who always delivers. Jill and I will miss Stephen, but we’re proud that he will continue to serve the American people in his new role in the Biden-Harris administration as he continues his career in public service.”
Stephen Goepfert, the first WH staffer Pres. Biden sees nearly every morning and the last nearly every evening, is set to depart this week.
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) August 23, 2022
Biden's "bodyman" will head to DOT after serving in the role since the first months of the campaignhttps://t.co/Y1ofvyLrys
Jacob Spreyer, who is now serving as the official White House receptionist, will reportedly take Goepfert’s place.
“I have worked with and seen many body people over the years, Stephen is at the top,” White House chief of staff Ron Klain said, as CNN reported.
He continued, “It’s a tough and grueling job, and no one has done it with the competence, kindness, and warmth that he has.”
Steve Ricchetti, counselor to Biden, also told CNN, “You’re literally at the border of where the President’s privacy and public duties sit — you have to have the right touch and right skill center set.”
He explained that Goepfert had the “ability and the willingness to help the President navigate everything he did throughout the day. That ends up being a critical role.”
Additionally, Annie Tomasini, another aide, praised Goepfert.
“You name it, Stephen did it,” Tomasini said, adding, “I don’t think people can quite grasp the pressures on him.”
Biden’s office is not the only one that has experienced departures.
CNN noted last month that Vice President Kamala Harris’s office had seen a regular occurrence of exits since late 2021.
