Anthony K. "Van" Jones (born September 20, 1968) is an American environmental advocate, civil rights activist, and attorney
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In March 2009 Jones was appointed by President Barack Obama to the newly created position of Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where he worked with various "agencies and departments to advance the administration's climate and energy initiatives, with a special focus on improving vulnerable communities."
In July 2009 he became "embroiled in a controversy" over his past political activities, including a public comment disparaging congressional Republicans, his name appearing on a petition for911Truth.org, and allegations of association with a Marxist group during the 1990s. Highlighting these issues, conservatives launched an aggressive campaign against him. Jones resigned from the position in early September 2009 "On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me," Jones said in his resignation statement. "They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide."
