Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre revealed in her new memoir that she is leaving the Democratic Party following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. Her decision, she detailed, was fueled by feelings of betrayal over the way Biden was treated by members of his own party, which she believed ultimately led to his exit. Jean-Pierre expressed deep frustration and anger at the way Biden’s campaign was handled, particularly the internal pressure that resulted in his withdrawal. She described feeling devastated by the decision, which she saw as a betrayal of a man who had dedicated decades to public service.
“Biden seemed to be totally at peace with his decision, but I was stunned, my feelings a blur,” Jean Pierre wrote in an excerpt from her book, ‘Independent.’ She detailed the moment she learned of Biden’s exit, where she felt a mix of emotions—disbelief, anger, and sadness. She noted that years of advocacy and dedication to the party had made her believe in its mission, but the way Biden was treated left her questioning its integrity. She emphasized the emotional toll of this decision, which she felt was a direct result of the party’s failure to support its own leader after his declining performance in debates.
In her memoir, Jean-Pierre also recounted how she believed Biden had been the victim of a ‘firing squad’ within the party, with members pushing him to step down despite his efforts. She was angered by the perceived lack of support from Biden’s communication team, which she felt made the situation worse for him and further eroded her faith in the party. She described the experience as a turning point, leading to her decision to become an independent.”Now the cloud of unease hovering over me solidified into an idea about how I could possibly do something different,” she wrote, expressing a desire to move forward independently and fight for her beliefs without compromising her values.
Jean-Pierre also highlighted the challenges she witnessed during Biden’s campaign, including the internal pressure that led to his withdrawal. She described the emotional weight of the decision, noting the profound sense of betrayal she felt as a member of the party. She emphasized that her journey from a loyal Democrat to an independent was a result of the party’s failure to stand by its own leader during one of the most critical moments of the campaign. Her decision to leave was not made lightly, as it marked the end of a long career dedicated to the Democratic Party and its mission.
“The Democratic Party had defined my life, my career,” Jean-Pierre wrote, reflecting on the significance of the decision. She detailed her long association with the party, from working on Obama’s campaigns to serving as the first Black woman and openly queer person to hold the role of White House press secretary. The betrayal she felt over Biden’s treatment left her questioning the party’s commitment to its own values, prompting her to take a bold step forward as an independent. She vowed to continue advocating for what she believed in without the constraints of party loyalty, signaling a significant shift in her political engagement.
In the wake of her decision, Jean-Pierre has announced plans to make her first public appearance as an independent, including an appearance on ‘The View.’ She described the move as an opportunity to channel her disappointment into constructive action, emphasizing the importance of staying true to her principles. Her decision to leave the Democratic Party has sparked discussions about the internal dynamics of the party and the challenges facing its leadership in the current political climate.