In a heated exchange during a recent congressional hearing, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry declined to disclose the identities of his climate team members when questioned by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.). Mast, pointing to a largely blank organizational chart, pressed Kerry for the names of his deputy envoys. Kerry acknowledged having two deputies, Rick Duke and Sue Biniaz, but refused to elaborate, citing State Department protocol.

“I’m not going to go through all that,” Kerry stated. “I’m not going to fill them in here in this way, because that would be a violation of our process within the State Department.”

Mast's repeated inquiries about the identities of Kerry's principal deputy and chief of staff were similarly dismissed. Kerry insisted he would follow “the normal process,” leading to a tense back-and-forth with Mast, who accused Kerry of stonewalling. Kerry maintained he would provide the information through the established State Department channels.

(Rep. Brian Mast questioned Climate Envoy John Kerry about his staff. (Alex Wong/Getty Images | Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc via Getty Images))

Kerry’s refusal to answer prompted Mast to highlight a 2021 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request concerning the structure of Kerry's department, which he claimed was not expected to be fulfilled until 2024. Following the hearing, Mast expressed his frustration to Fox News Digital, stating, “It’s more of the same – a complete lack of transparency. John Kerry is making decisions that impact every American, but we can’t get answers about the basics of his office.”

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaks about climate policies. (C-SPAN/Video Screenshot)

The exchange drew considerable criticism on social media, with some accusing Kerry of being evasive. Kerry’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

(John Kerry during a Bloomberg Television interview. (F. Carter Smith/Bloomberg via Getty Images))