Karine Jean-Pierre, who made history as the first black woman and openly gay person to serve as White House press secretary, is set to reveal a major political shift in her upcoming memoir, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House,” due out Oct. 21.
After years of close service to Democratic administrations under former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Jean-Pierre has officially registered as an independent, a move signaling her departure from the party she once fiercely defended.
Jean-Pierre’s political career spans more than a decade, Trending Politics reports.
She first gained prominence during Obama’s presidency as a regional political director, later becoming a senior adviser on Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.
In 2022, she succeeded Jen Psaki as White House press secretary, where she became a constant fixture in the briefing room.
Known for her spirited exchanges, Jean-Pierre frequently faced off against Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy, with their clashes often centering on Biden’s health and administration policies.
One notable confrontation occurred in October 2024, when Jean-Pierre was questioned over the administration’s disaster relief priorities.
She defended the Biden administration’s decision to send $157 million in aid to Lebanon after a devastating hurricane, while domestic disaster relief for North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene victims required congressional approval.
During the heated exchange, she accused Doocy of spreading misinformation and abruptly exited the briefing room, highlighting the intense pressures she faced managing the administration’s public message, according to TP.
In her forthcoming memoir, Jean-Pierre shares an insider’s view of the final weeks leading up to Biden’s decision to end his bid for a second term.
She describes feeling “betrayed” by her own party and calls for Americans to move beyond rigid partisan labels. “
Until January 20, I was responsible for speaking on behalf of the President of the United States,” she writes. “At noon on that day, I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was to come next for our country.”
“I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes. We need to be willing to exercise the ability to think creatively and plan strategically.”
Jean-Pierre also tackles the issue of rampant disinformation in recent elections, arguing that misinformation has undermined trust and fueled division.
Her memoir promises “clear arguments and provocative evidence” from her experience inside the White House, offering passionate insight on how to move forward as a nation.
Despite her long-standing ties to Democratic leaders, Jean-Pierre’s critics often accused her of dodging difficult questions, especially about Biden’s physical and cognitive condition.
The memoir’s release comes amid growing political realignments and dissatisfaction among some longtime Democrats.
Jean-Pierre’s announcement has already generated buzz, as few high-profile Democratic figures have openly renounced the party in recent years.
Her candid reflections on the Biden administration’s final months and the internal struggles that shaped its downfall provide a rare glimpse behind the scenes of modern White House politics.
