John Kirby (admiral)

John Kirby
Official portrait, 2021
White House National Security Communications Advisor[a]
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 28, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded bySaloni Sharma[b]
Pentagon Press Secretary
In office
January 20, 2021 – May 27, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byAlyssa Farah
Succeeded byPatrick S. Ryder
In office
December 2013 – February 2015
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byGeorge E. Little
Succeeded byPeter Cook
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
In office
January 20, 2021 – May 27, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byJonathan Rath Hoffman
Succeeded byChris Meagher
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
In office
December 11, 2015 – January 20, 2017
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byDouglas Frantz
Succeeded byMichelle Giuda
Spokesperson for the United States Department of State
In office
May 13, 2015 – January 20, 2017
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byJen Psaki
Succeeded byHeather Nauert
Personal details
Born (1963-06-03) June 3, 1963 (age 61)
SpouseDonna
Children2
EducationUniversity of South Florida (BA)
Troy University (MS)
Naval War College (MA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1986–2015
Rank Rear Admiral
CommandsChief of Naval Information

John F. Kirby (born June 3, 1963) is a retired United States Navy rear admiral serving as White House National Security Communications Advisor since 2022.[a] He previously served in the Biden administration as Pentagon Press Secretary and Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs from 2021 to 2022. He worked as a military and diplomatic analyst for CNN from 2017 to 2021. He served in the Obama administration as Pentagon Press Secretary from 2013 to 2015 and as the spokesperson for the United States Department of State and Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from 2015 to 2017.

Early life and education

Kirby was born on June 3, 1963, and grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida.[1][2] He is a 1981 graduate of Saint Petersburg Catholic High School, and a 1985 graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He holds a Master of Science degree in international relations from Troy University and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.[3]

Military career

Kirby was commissioned in September 1986 after completing Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. He qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Aubrey Fitch before being designated as a restricted line officer, to serve as a public affairs officer (PAO).

Rear Admiral (lower half) John Kirby while serving as the Navy's chief of information, circa 2012

As a public affairs officer, Kirby served at sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal and on the staff of Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, embarked aboard the command-and-control ship USS Mount Whitney.[4]

While ashore, Kirby completed tours as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy; public affairs officer with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels); editor-in-chief of the Navy's flagship monthly magazine, All Hands; the staffs of the Chief of Naval Personnel, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Chief of Naval Operations, and the special assistant for public affairs to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for media operations,[4] serving under the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.

In May 2012, Kirby was promoted to rear admiral (lower half)[5] and served as the U.S. Navy's Chief of Information (CHINFO). As CHINFO, Kirby served as the principal spokesman for the Department of the Navy and provided strategic communication counsel to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. He led the Navy's public affairs community, which consists of more than 2,700 active and reserve officer, enlisted, and civilian communication professionals.

Career

Obama administration

In December 2013, Kirby was appointed Pentagon press secretary by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.[6][7] In May 2014, Kirby was promoted to rear admiral.[8] In October 2014, Senator John McCain disputed Kirby's contention that the U.S. was winning its war against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and called him an "idiot".[9] On April 22, 2015, it was announced that Kirby would be the new spokesman for the United States Department of State after he retired from the military later in the year.[10][11]

Kirby became spokesman for the State Department on May 12, 2015.[12][13] In October 2016, Kirby defended the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemen civil war against the Shia Houthis.[14] He left office following the inauguration of President Trump on January 20, 2017.[15]

CNN

Throughout the Trump administration, Kirby worked as a military and foreign policy analyst on CNN.[16][17]

Biden administration

On January 14, 2021, Kirby was tapped to reprise his role as Pentagon press secretary by President Joe Biden.[18]

Kirby conducting a press briefing at the Pentagon

On March 11, 2021, Kirby condemned Tucker Carlson for his comments that accommodations for women in uniform, particularly maternity wear and haircut regulations, reduce the readiness and effectiveness of the United States military.[19]

On May 19, 2022, the White House announced that Kirby would be leaving the Pentagon to join the National Security Council as Coordinator for Strategic Communications. In this role, Kirby will "coordinate inter-agency efforts to explain United States policy and will serve as a senior administration voice on related matters".[20][21] Kirby has stated that “LGBTQ+ rights are human rights" and are "something that's a core part of” United States foreign policy.[22]

Kirby and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in February 2023

In November 2023, Kirby dismissed claims that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,[23] saying that "Israel is not trying to wipe the Palestinian people off the map. Israel is not trying to wipe Gaza off the map. Israel is trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. So if we’re going to start using that word, fine. Let’s use it appropriately."[24]

In January 2024, Kirby rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and assured that President Biden "supports Israel being able to defend itself. He supports getting all those hostages out."[25]

In 2023 and 2024, Kirby increasingly took over duties traditionally delegated to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, frequently joining her in press conferences, taking on media interviews, and answering a wide range of journalist questions. This has caused tension and frustration between Kirby and Jean-Pierre.[26][27]

Awards

Kirby has been awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign and service awards.[4]

Personal life

Kirby and his wife, Donna, also a Navy veteran, have two grown children.[28]

Notes

  1. ^ a b As National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications until February 11, 2024.
  2. ^ As National Security Council Strategic Communications Director.

References

  1. ^ Kerry, John (June 3, 2016). "Remarks at Roundtable With Traveling Press". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Montgomery, Ben (March 26, 2015). "Times Q&A: Rear Adm. John Kirby talks ISIS, Twitter and his mother's critiques". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Rear Admiral John Kirby, Naval War College, January 22, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Rear Admiral John Kirby > United States Navy > BioDisplay". www.navy.mil. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  5. ^ "PN1576 - Capt. John F. Kirby for Navy, 112th Congress (2011-2012)". www.congress.gov. May 24, 2012. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  6. ^ "Pentagon announces appointment of new press secretary to toe the line and control public perception of war and the military". groundreport.com. December 14, 2013. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  7. ^ Philip Ewing (November 2, 2014). "The Pentagon's 2-star message man". Politico. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  8. ^ "PN1621 - Rear Adm. (lh) John F. Kirby nominee for Navy, 113th Congress (2013-2014)". www.congress.gov. May 22, 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "McCain Calls Two-Star Admiral and Pentagon Spokesman an 'Idiot'". Military.com. October 23, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  10. ^ Crawford, Jamie; Labott, Elize (April 22, 2015). "Pentagon spokesman Kirby to shift to State Department". CNN. CNN. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  11. ^ Cooper, Helene (February 18, 2015). "John Kirby, Pentagon Spokesman, Will Be Replaced With a Civilian". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "John Kirby". U.S. Department of State. May 12, 2015. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  13. ^ "@StateDept's Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs: Doug Frantz Out, John Kirby In". Diplopundit. October 10, 2015. Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  14. ^ "US spokesperson struggles with questions about the difference between bombings in Syria and Yemen". The Independent. October 12, 2016. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022.
  15. ^ "White House tells political appointees to prepare for Jan. 20 resignation". Reuters. January 7, 2021. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021. Traditionally, Presidential Appointees in non-term positions have been asked to submit formal letters of resignation.
  16. ^ "John Kirby becomes a commanding presence in the briefing room". Washington Post. December 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "April Ryan Joins CNN As Political Analyst". WHUR Radio. April 4, 2017. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  18. ^ Jenkins, Cameron (January 14, 2021). "John Kirby to reprise role as Pentagon press secretary under President Biden". The Hill. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  19. ^ Knutson, Jacob (March 11, 2021). "Pentagon condemns Tucker Carlson for mocking women in the military". Axios. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  20. ^ "President Biden Announces John Kirby as NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications". The White House. May 20, 2022. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  21. ^ Collins, Kaitlan (May 21, 2022). "Pentagon spokesman John Kirby moving to the White House". CNN. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  22. ^ Desk, ALEC SCHEMMEL | The National (March 21, 2023). "'LGBTQ rights' are 'core part' of Biden foreign policy, State Department says". KATV. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  23. ^ "How the White House's John Kirby is taking on the word 'genocide". The Guardian. December 4, 2023. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  24. ^ "'Genocide' accusations by anti-Israel activists 'pretty inappropriate' — White House". The Times of Israel. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  25. ^ "Kirby: US backs humanitarian pause, not a full Gaza ceasefire". The Jerusalem Post. January 22, 2024. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  26. ^ "Who Speaks for the President? Depends on Whom You Ask". The New York Times. February 13, 2024.
  27. ^ "The White House's tense podium battle". Axios. January 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "USF Announces 2017 Alumni Award Recipients". USF Alumni Association. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.

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Political offices
Preceded by Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
2015–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Spokesperson for the United States Department of State
2015–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
2021–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Pentagon Press Secretary
2021–2022 		Succeeded by

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