Top aides to President Biden developed a plan last fall to replace White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre by recruiting outside allies to persuade her to leave her position. De facto White House communications chief Anita Dunn orchestrated this plan due to Jean-Pierre’s habit of reading canned answers from a binder during press briefings, which was seen as ineffective in promoting Biden’s re-election campaign. Dunn enlisted prominent Democrats to convince Jean-Pierre that it was time to move on.
Dunn claimed that both White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and she supported the plan to encourage Jean-Pierre to leave her post. However, Jean-Pierre was informed of this plan but decided to remain in her position through the election. Even though there were efforts to find her a graceful exit, the optics of removing her against her will due to diversity concerns made it difficult to proceed. Despite the tensions and attempted persuasion, Jean-Pierre has stood her ground and decided to continue in her role.
There were concerns raised about Jean-Pierre’s reliance on notes and lack of understanding of certain complex issues that the press secretary must address during briefings. There were criticisms about her lack of preparation and understanding of nuanced topics like the conflict between Israel and Gaza. However, the White House deputy press secretary defended Jean-Pierre, refuting claims that she was not adequately prepared and praising her efforts to spend four hours preparing every day.
Despite the attempt to replace Jean-Pierre, she remains secure in her position, having rejected an unsolicited offer to become president of EMILY’s List in December. There were suspicions within the White House about the motives behind the offer and its disclosure to the media. Dunn had initially supported Jean-Pierre’s promotion, and various sources reported different views on Jean-Pierre’s performance. Although there is uncertainty about Biden’s preferences, there are potential contenders to replace Jean-Pierre, such as Brian Fallon or John Kirby, should she vacate her role.
There have been tensions within the White House, particularly between Karine Jean-Pierre and John Kirby, who has played an increased role in press briefings alongside Jean-Pierre. While there were reports of a power struggle between the two, they have publicly praised each other, attempting to minimize the perception of conflict. It is unclear whether Jean-Pierre will depart from her position, but Kirby is considered a potential replacement as press secretary. Despite various speculations and rumors, there are conflicting accounts of the support for Jean-Pierre among White House staff and Democratic allies.
Prominent Democratic staffers, current and former White House officials, provided anonymous insights into the situation, revealing differing opinions on Jean-Pierre’s performance and the attempts to replace her. Dunn and Zients have been described as supportive of Jean-Pierre, suggesting that the potential shift in her role was meant to be a long-term boost for her career. Despite internal disagreements and tensions, Jean-Pierre has important allies within the White House, including Anthony Bernal, the first lady’s top adviser, who has been accused of workplace harassment. However, there are varying perceptions of the situation and conflicting reports on the dynamics within the White House.
