Stuart Delery, the chief legal adviser in the White House, is set to depart next month after a tenure of almost three years. During his service, Delery assisted President Joe Biden in navigating legal complexities tied to the pandemic response, major legislative endeavours, and managing inquiries from the Republican Party.
Having originally joined the legal team during Biden’s transition post the 2020 electoral victory over Donald Trump, Delery climbed the ranks. He assumed the senior counsel position following the exit of Biden’s initial legal adviser, Dana Remus.
Delery holds the distinction of being the first openly gay White House counsel. President Biden praised him, acknowledging Delery’s inventive legal insight and crucial role in his administration.
While Delery’s successor remains unannounced, his exit coincides with heightened Republican scrutiny over matters including the origin of COVID-19 and investigations into Biden’s son, Hunter. Simultaneously, a special counsel is probing the presence of classified documents in Biden’s former locations. The White House’s legal and oversight team, comprising roughly two dozen members, handles these matters, with Bob Bauer, Biden’s private attorney, addressing the classified document concerns.
Jeff Zients, Biden’s chief of staff, has prompted senior members of the administration to finalize their intentions about their roles post-summer and leading up to the 2024 elections. An anonymous White House insider mentioned that Delery’s departure was scheduled in advance.
Susan Rice, who collaborated closely with Delery and previously served as Biden’s domestic policy adviser, emphasized the significance of a smooth transition for successors. She extolled Delery’s composure, deeming him irreplaceable, especially considering his vast experience and the trust he earned from peers and the president.
Delery’s contributions were pivotal in shaping major legislation such as the American Rescue Plan and the infrastructure bill. As the lead White House lawyer, he played a central role in the student loan forgiveness plan, which the Supreme Court later ruled as overreaching.
Following that setback, Biden proposed a more moderate student loan relief strategy, rooted in federal laws. This proposition, too, is currently under legal review.
Furthermore, Delery was instrumental in formulating new regulations at the U.S.-Mexico border. These changes aimed to transition migrants towards online asylum applications, following the lift of pandemic-related asylum restrictions.
Stuart Delery’s imminent departure underscores the dynamic nature of political administrations. His influential presence in the White House has played a pivotal role in shaping several significant legislative outcomes and guiding the administration through critical legal challenges. As the White House braces for the forthcoming changes, Delery’s legacy stands as a testament to the invaluable role that counsel plays in any presidency.
