In light of Carine Jean-Pierre’s recent announcement about her independence from the Democratic Party, several former officials and staff from the Biden administration have voiced their reactions. They noted that Jean-Pierre’s decision coincides with the upcoming release of her book.
A former staff member said, “Everyone thinks this is a bit of a stunt,” when speaking to Politico. Jean-Pierre revealed on Wednesday that her book, titled “Independence: The Outer in the Broken White House Outside the Party Line,” is set to be published in October.
One ex-official commented, “She was the one portraying this White House as successful and Biden as fantastic. And now? She doesn’t want to be a Democrat anymore? It seems odd, especially since she once had the Republicans against her. It feels like it’s just ego at play to think she could connect both sides,” the former Biden staffer remarked.
Reflecting on Jean-Pierre’s claims, a senior spokesman from the administration added, “It’s hard to understand how she can look at the last year and genuinely believe that the party abandoned Biden, which is why she left.” They further elaborated, saying, “The ability to enjoy the benefits of being so close to power while trying to present herself as an outsider is a strange and somewhat desperate move. It really appears to be an attempt at self-promotion.”
Another former staffer mentioned, “Last year, she joked about independence, but now it’s a book release. Every angle seems to revolve around making money, even if it isn’t the smartest approach.” Politico also highlighted that Gilda Squire, a spokesperson who worked with Jean-Pierre in the White House, was involved in various official communications during her time there.
When asked about the potential boost for Jean-Pierre in February 2024, Squire dismissed those claims. An internal email later revealed her involvement in promotional endeavors, such as plans for a profile piece in Vogue Magazine.
Jeremy Edwards, another former staff member, responded to the book release with a simple “Laughter,” suggesting skepticism about the earnestness of the announcement.
A communication official commented that Jean-Pierre appears to have lost her primary support base—that of the party-line Democrats. White House reporters also expressed surprise over her announcement, with one remarking, “I’m still trying to process it. It’s astonishing that she chose this path.”
Jean-Pierre, who has extensive experience working on Democratic campaigns, described her upcoming book as not strictly partisan. During her time in the White House, she consistently defended Biden against questions regarding his leadership and abilities, often responding with levity.
At this moment, a spokesperson for Jean-Pierre has not responded to requests for further comment.
