Former Secretary of State John Kerry was forced to reveal his use of private flights since assuming the role of the United States special presidential envoy for climate, as he struggled to remember exactly how many times he has done so in an official capacity.
Kerry answered questions during a congressional committee hearing, when he spoke to Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida and raised the topic of private flights himself, according to the New York Post. Kerry called the idea that he flies around the world privately a “persistent lie” and explained that he doesn’t “own a private jet,” adding that he’s “personally never owned a private jet.”
Kerry appeared to be dismissing the reality that his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, owned a jet as recently as 2022. The jet was sold due to criticism against the family, according to the Washington Examiner, which reported in February 2023 that Kerry’s State Department spokeswoman, Whitney Smith, said, “I can confirm the plane previously owned by his wife’s family was sold last summer.”
After Waltz reminded Kerry of the reports, Kerry admitted, “Yes, my wife owned a plane.”
“You’ve flown on that plane?” Waltz asked.
“Not in a number of years,” Kerry replied.
“When we are asking Americans to make serious sacrifices as we transition for the common good, and your family and yourself are flying around on private jets, that smacks of hypocrisy,” the Republican continued.
“I do not fly on a private jet; I fly commercially,” Kerry insisted. “I have flown five times in the last two and a half years.”
“Have you flown a private jet in a personal or official capacity since you’ve taken this position?” Waltz then specified.
“Possibly once. … We’re not asking Americans not to fly!” Kerry responded in an attempt to downplay climate change efforts by the Biden administration.
Kerry, who was reportedly not due to have to explain details of his activities, staff, titles, or pay until October 2024, was also questioned by Rep. Brian Mast of Florida.
Mast attempted to establish a chain of command surrounding the climate envoy, telling Kerry he would “love to know the names of the individuals that actually answer to” Kerry. “Who is your deputy envoy for climate?”
Kerry named two deputies, Rick Duke and Sue Biniaz, but otherwise stated that he would not “go through them name by name.”
Kerry did agree, however, to hand over an official schedule regarding which political leaders he has met with in an official capacity.
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