Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra is plotting his departure from President Joe Biden’s cabinet and making plans for his post-administration career, two people briefed on discussions told Politico.
Becerra has had recent conversations about leaving the administration while also discussing the potential of running for governor in California in 2026, two people briefed on discussions told Politico. Over the last year, the cabinet official has spent more than $130,000 on “campaign consultants,” Politico reported. (RELATED: Sen. Barrasso Grills HHS Sec. Becerra Over Free Healthcare For Illegal Immigrants)
“I am secretary of HHS and, by law, I have to be secretary of HHS and nothing else,” Becerra said at a recent event in San Francisco, according to Politico. “So I’m gonna do my job as best I can.”
Politico reported that Becerra’s old state committee has been making payments labeled for “consulting” services while he has been serving in the Biden administration. A senior Biden administration official told Politico that he was unaware that Becerra was spending on “campaign consultants” in addition to other political spending.
U.S. first lady Jill Biden speaks alongside President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra during a meeting of his Cancer Cabinet at the White House on September 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Democrats have previously speculated to Politico that Biden will bring the secretary back if he is elected to a second term in 2024. Becerra has had a bumpy tenure, as Axios previously reported that Domestic Policy Adviser Susan Rice and other Biden officials have found themselves with “deep animosity” towards the HHS Secretary.
Rice reportedly once called Becerra a “bitch ass” and in private has called him an “idiot,” according to Axios.
During a meeting where Biden was upset with Becerra, Rice slipped a note to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, according to Axios.
The note read, “Don’t save him,” Axios reported.
Becerra’s turbulent tenure began with the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fall under the purview of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Those agencies, along with the White House, struggled at times to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations while also convincing vaccine-skeptical Americans to get the jabs.
The Biden administration was also widely panned for not moving more quickly to update COVID-19 guidance to get the country re-opened, particularly when it came to schools.
Becerra has also faced criticism for HHS handling of migrant children. Critics have raised concerns about the resettling of migrant children with appropriate sponsors, as well as keeping track of their whereabouts and providing them with humane living conditions in shelters. HHS is also responsible for refugee resettlement, and hit some snags in that area following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: GOP Reps Demand Transparency Over Thousands Of Migrant Children Reportedly Lost By Biden Admin)
The HHS did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.