John Kirby to reprise role as Pentagon press secretary under Biden

John Kirby will return to his former role as Pentagon press secretary under President-elect Joe Biden’s administration in the coming weeks, according to The New York Times.

The Biden transition team announced that Kirby, who previously served as the press secretary for former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, will take on the role following his stint as a deputy Defense secretary, the Times reported.

Kirby will be the only appointee of President Trump’s to remain at the Pentagon until Biden’s pick for Defense secretary is confirmed.

In 2013, Kirby was selected for the position for the first time. He held the role until February 2015 when Ashton Carter was confirmed as the new Pentagon chief.

Kirby is considered to be a veteran public affairs officer and is well respected at the Pentagon. He is a retired Navy rear admiral and worked closely with John Kerry when he served as secretary of State. He also served during the final two years of the Obama administration, the Times notes.

Biden’s transition team has also pushed for retired Army four-star general Lloyd J. Austin III to be confirmed as Defense secretary. Kirby and Austin worked together under retired Adm. Mike Mullen during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, according to the Times.