For nearly three years, Karine Jean-Pierre served as the White House press secretary, the public face of the Biden administration, holding daily briefings and traveling around the world.
In the new book The Independent: A Look Inside the Broken White House, Beyond Party LinesJean-Pierre, published Oct. 21, said the party's internal dysfunction and disloyalty set the stage for its defeat in 2024.
Talking to Morning Edition Presenter Michelle Martin spoke about her time in the administration and explained why she decided to leave the party she once represented.
Here are five takeaways from the conversation.
1. She says the debate revealed political vulnerability, not cognitive decline.
Jean-Pierre opened her book with an account of the June 2024 presidential debate, as late-night questions about former President Joe Biden's health and acuity intensified.
“I didn't see the president because he was preparing for the debate,” she said. “So the first time I actually heard him speak was during the debate. So when I heard his voice, I thought, oh, oh. He was hoarse. He looked like he was sick.”
She said she immediately understood how optics could play a public role. “Everything I insisted on – his age, whether he was in good shape – it was as if automatically every time he sneezed, he had a runny nose or something happened, that's what the questions would be about.”
However, she maintained that she saw no reason to doubt the president's ability to serve. “I support this. I support this 110%.”
2. She blames part of Trump's comeback on Democratic disunity.
Jean-Pierre argued that Democrats' failure to rally behind Biden has cost them dearly politically.
“Joe Biden has objectively had a very successful four years,” she said. “And here we are on the verge of a lifetime election in which we all need to support our identity, and we have failed to do that. Republicans can do it… and we couldn’t do it.”
She cited figures such as Nancy Pelosi and George Clooney, who she said had signaled their doubts about the president. “All of this,” she said, “contributed to a sense of disconnect.”
3. She says criticism of her as press secretary reflects a deeper bias.
Jean-Pierre recalled the scrutiny she faced on the podium, including statements that she was “too wooden” or lacked political depth.
“Well, look at that moment, I was silent,” she said. “What I can do is state the facts: no one who has been on this podium has ever looked like me.”
She said she understands that “as a black woman, things are different for people who look like me.”
4. She says Democrats failed black women even though they relied on them.
In a chapter called “Sisterhood,” Jean-Pierre described the loyalty of black women voters within the party.
“I feel like if you look at black women and how they come out and vote no matter what because they understand what's at stake … we are forgotten,” she said.
She said she appreciated the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to elevate those voices: “They felt seen when they saw me at the podium, behind that lectern, whether it was women of color, black women, the queer community, the LGBT community, immigrants – they felt seen, and that made a difference to me.”
5. She says that becoming independent means responsibility, not betrayal.
Jean-Pierre said her decision to identify as an independent was meant to start a conversation about the direction of American politics.
“Look for me, I don't tell people, 'Hey, go out and be independent,'” she said. “The number of people who consider themselves independent is growing, including young people. We have to ask: why?”
She also said Democrats failed to foresee what would follow their defeat.
Jean-Pierre said she hopes the book will promote inclusion rather than cynicism.
“There is an opportunity to reimagine what politics can be, to reimagine what America can be. This means that you cannot remain silent, because silence is complicit.”
The radio version of this interview was produced by Barry Gordemer and edited by Adriana Gallardo.
