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Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced her departure from her White House role as the Director of the Office of Public Engagement.
On Monday (February 27), Bottoms, who began serving within the Biden administration in June, called her tenure at the White House "extraordinary" as she announced her exit.
"Term ended in January 2022," Bottoms wrote in a tweet. "I didn’t take a break, planning to work hard for 6 months and relax over the summer. @WhiteHouse called again in June and I said, "I’ll stay just thru midterms in November." Months later this extraordinary season soon ends. Thanks family and @POTUS."
Bottoms also revealed on Instagram that she ended up staying in the role much longer than she originally anticipated.
"I had a WHOLE plan for how life would go after my term ended as Mayor, none of which included joining the White House," she wrote Monday. "After saying yes to what I thought would be a short-term assignment, I was asked to stay much longer. It has been a privilege to work alongside @potus, @vp, and an extraordinary team in making a difference. I am grateful for the sacrifice my family has made and for the opportunity to represent all of who we are and all our ancestors believed we could be."
President Joe Biden said Bottoms "kept equity at the heart of our agenda, and continues to serve as the connective tissue between our Administration and everyday Americans who may not have a voice to reach Washington otherwise."
"I have leaned on Keisha as a close advisor with exceptional instincts, and I am grateful to her for serving our nation with honor and integrity. I wish her the best as she returns home to Atlanta to be with her family," the president said in a statement.
Former Columbia, South Carolina mayor Stephen Benjamin will replace Bottoms as the White House Office of Public Engagement director.
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