John Kerry should be fired
John Kerry just told taxpayers to go to hell.
That’s ironic because he’s the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate who is supposedly the nation’s champion for the planet. But while he’s trying to turn down the heat, he’s firing up the secrecy.
History will remember that the nation’s first global warming warrior was the least transparent official in the Biden administration. That’s not an enviable distinction.
The globetrotting former Bay State senator and failed presidential candidate is basically kicking sand in everyone’s face.
Kerry testified before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability Thursday that his post is unlike any other special envoy before him. We agree, wholeheartedly.
Wildfires, floods, record temperatures, pollution, and all related worries must be examined if we’re going to preserve the only home we have. But, and here’s where Kerry is “stupid” — to use his own insult he hurled at a subcommittee member: Doing all this with a 45-person staff he refuses to name (beyond the two top deputies, Rick Duke and Sue Biniaz) is middle-school management. It’s also against everything the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) stands for
Here’s what he said when pressed by subcommittee Chair Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) about his office: “Well I’m not going to go through all the names. I’m not going to fill them in here in this way because it would be a violation of our process within the State Department.”
If Kerry is alluding to the FOIA process, here’s his response to the Herald being told he will not hand over a complete list of his office staff — with titles and pay — until October of 2024: “An algorithm kicked out that date, the one you’re referring to.”
He later delved deeper into what he was talking about: “An algorithm is a metaphor for something.”
A metaphor? What could “algorithm” be representative or symbolic of? He didn’t say, but we have a few suggestions. “Algorithm” could be a metaphor for “none of your business,” or the aforementioned “go to hell,” or possibly “I don’t give a damn.”
John Kerry bristled when peppered about the reported use of a private jet — maybe “once” he says — and being called a “bureaucrat” by a rep who reminded him all government employees elected, appointed, or hired are considered.
Kerry clearly believes he has one boss — President Biden.
The subcommittee members, at least the Republicans, pried and were even polite. The result was the same. John Kerry will not say who works for the Climate office.
That’s a problem, one of the subcommittee members pointed out. This means those employees are not vetted.
All of this is frustrating. We’ve called on Kerry to respect the law and let the public share in the knowledge that this office is embarking on its mission with a staff everyone can examine and celebrate.
Maybe Kerry wants to hog the limelight or control the message. If that’s the case, it’s also poor management. Of all the offices in the government, wouldn’t you want the Climate Office to be open to all suggestions?
Sadly, Kerry’s closed-off approach is more than embarrassing. It’s hurting progress and that’s something Biden should be worried about. Be aloof all you want behind in your private clubs, but when working for the U.S., real Americans take pride in being transparent.
It’s time for Biden to fire John Kerry and try again before it’s too late.