Former Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre leaves Democratic Party
Source: Axios
Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has become an independent after serving under two Democratic presidents, according to the publisher of a new book from Jean-Pierre out this fall. Jean-Pierre, whose encounters with White House reporters grew tense last year amid questions concerning former President Biden's age and health, will detail in her new book the weeks that led to his 2024 campaign departure, per a publisher's description.
Driving the news: The book, "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines," pledges to take readers through the "betrayal by the Democratic Party" that prompted Biden's decision.
In it, according to Legacy Lit — a Hachette Book Group imprint — Jean-Pierre will urge Americans to "embrace life as Independents" in an assessment of what she sees as a broken two-party system.
"In a hard-hitting yet hopeful critique, Jean-Pierre defines what it means to be part of the growing percentage of our fractured electorate that is Independent," the announcement reads.
Political independents make up a dominant voting bloc, with an average of 43% of U.S. adults identifying as independent in 2023, per Gallup data.
What she's saying: "I think we need to stop thinking in boxes and think outside of our boxes and not be so partisan," Jean-Pierre said in a video shared to Instagram.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/karine-jean-pierre-independent-new-book
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Ritabert
(1,189 posts)
mzmolly
(52,257 posts)for Tapper's shitty book? Hope not!
InAbLuEsTaTe
(25,212 posts)Henry203
(600 posts)and she kicks it down the road. I detest people like this.
brush
(60,243 posts)all the media and intra-party attacks. She's hurt but abandoning the party is a rash move. She was right there when his schedulers got Joe exhausted by running him from European WWll memorials, sthraight to the west coast to campaign and then back to DC for the debate.
The man was exhausted, no wonder he did a poor job at debating the lie-a-minute trump.
Silly Simone Sanders did the same thing a few weeks ago...abandoned the party...two new Jill Steins.
appmanga
(1,168 posts)...the party is at a serious inflection point, and they can't, or don't want to, understand what's going on.
Sanders and Jean-Pierre are examples of the feelings of betrayal that a lot of politically active black women are dealing with when it comes to the party. The party continues to harp on the need to embrace the "bro" culture, or chasing down voters who stopped being interested in voting for Democrats three cycles ago, while continuing to ignore its most reliable supporters.
Until either of these women sit down for brunch with Putin, I'm going to resist lumping them in with Jill Stein or trying to delegitimize a decision that they have every right to make.
brush
(60,243 posts)as press sec'y, she got promoted to press sec'y. The party was loyal to her and other Black Dems (UN Ambassador, DOD sec'y, all the Black Dems on J6 Committee, impeachment managers)...now she abandons it. What, abandoning the party was the hook to get publishers interested in giving her a book deal? Couldn't get one with out that hook?
I'm a Black man with nothing to do with the 'bro' culture, we trail only Black women in voting blue in elections. I've always been proud of Black women for being the backbone of the party, with us men right behind them, but I would never abandon the party. What, rethugs are gonna welcome a gay,
Black woman and promote her to press sec'y? No.
Not a good move.
appmanga
(1,168 posts)...is, yes, the other guys are bad, and have no use for you, but Democrats, at least some of the current ones, aren't the only game in town. Even if I don't agree with it, I get it.
brush
(60,243 posts)Last edited Thu Jun 5, 2025, 03:27 AM - Edit history (2)
became so uncomfortable with the Democratic Party when she was working in President Biden’s White House, she should have quit her job.
tonekat
(2,244 posts)
Falcon101
(72 posts)Honestly, who reads these political books by and/or about politicians? They all say the same crap.
Silent Type
(9,992 posts)
NewHendoLib
(61,182 posts)
madville
(7,772 posts)Wonder what her price was to burn bridges with the Democratic Party and feed further into the narrative that Democrats are dysfunctional?
Ritabert
(1,189 posts)Certainly not Republicans.
ShazzieB
(20,883 posts)Not the Republican party. She is an independent. You can leave one party without joining the other one.
Ritabert
(1,189 posts)ShazzieB
(20,883 posts)"Independent" means not being affiliated with any party. You can vote for the candidates of your choice and support the issues you care about without being an "official" member of either party.
It's not a choice I would personally make, but it's a choice people are allowed to make, and she doesn't need permission from me or anyone else.
Ritabert
(1,189 posts)
Intractable
(1,072 posts)The two-party system of gov't is highly imperfect.
From what I can see, multi-party systems of gov't are also potentially problematic.
All of it would get better if it wasn't such a money game.
Klarkashton
(3,575 posts)
Rebl2
(16,516 posts)Psaki did a much better job than Pierre.
BlueBoiler
(6 posts)What could possibly have been different between her and Psaki... 🤔
Klarkashton
(3,575 posts)Basso8vb
(1,141 posts)What a turncoat.
Polybius
(20,180 posts)I really liked her. 
thought crime
(347 posts)I liked her too. She showed much grace under pressure.
If she has any useful suggestion for somehow changing the two party system, I'd like to know. Personally, I would like to see some way to create a more formal coalition with named factions (sub-parties) under the umbrella of the Democratic Party. But I can't think of a good way to do it without proportional representation.
ShazzieB
(20,883 posts)I don't understand all the hate I'm seeing here. None of us even knows what her book is going to say yet. This pile-on seems premature to me, and I refuse to join in.
Response to thought crime (Reply #17)
Rebl2 This message was self-deleted by its author.
awesomerwb1
(4,753 posts)I always thought she was a pretty bad and weak press secretary.
Trying to make some $ while she can.
Falcon101
(72 posts)Yep, this topic has been discussed since Ross Perot. Its not gonna happen so why waste time on the topic.
mzmolly
(52,257 posts)I think she's a warm and lovely person, but I didn't find her to be an effective advocate. Perhaps her lack of appreciating the differences between the democratic 'box' and the republick box, was not unhelpful.
walkingman
(9,368 posts)against you when it comes to the GOP...you are black, female, gay. If you think that the GOP in any way support you or your cause, you are naive. So hard to understand your move to independent. That usually means you are ashamed of what you are leaving.
Of course since I know that you are aware of this I have to assume it is about selling your book, getting attention, and so on.
I think you have made a possible fatal mistake career wise. When you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.
Bad move.
she was a sight better than what we got during the first trump admin. gad, they were dreadful.
I have friends who have joined the ranks of the independents from dems. but they invariably vote dem anyway..
my crank is that she had to make it so public, ...now that seems a bit back handed.
walkingman
(9,368 posts)Since you know people that have gone independent - do you know their reason why? It does seem to becoming more common these days. I have to think it says the Democratic Party does not represent your values. To make such a declaration is saying something....why not just say what it is or try and change the party from within because this idea that we have more than a 2 party system in America is just not legit.
k_buddy762
(638 posts)but people here will crucify her anyway. Loyalty above logic.
brush
(60,243 posts)Maybe she'll try the green party and become another Jill Stein. Silly Simone Sanders did the same thing a few weeks ago...abandoned the party.
ShazzieB
(20,883 posts)Why would she be looking to the GOP for support? 
walkingman
(9,368 posts)there is no independent party, what's left? As I said earlier - I would like someone to explain to me the logic of leaving the Democratic Party, especially someone that gained their recognition in that Party. There has to be a reason? Get some attention, thinking it would sell more books?
Dumb move.
ShazzieB
(20,883 posts)I imagine we'll find out soon enough, from the articles and interviews about the book, but I honestly don't care all that much. People are allowed to leave political parties; nobody is required to be a member of either major party.
I know you can't vote in primaries in some states without declaring a party, but that's not true in all of them, including mine. My state doesn't ask you for your party when you register to vote, either; there's not even a space for that on the form.
But all that is beside the point. As far as I'm concerned, Jean-Pierre is a grown ass adult, and she's allowed to decide her political affiliation or lack thereof for herself. I just don't get all the hate I'm seeing here. She hasn't joined the "dark" side or anything like that. She can still vote for Democrats or contribute to their capaigns if she wants to (or not, as the case may be). Let the woman live her life.
Miami Blue
(293 posts)Thank you so much for showing us your true colors. Btw, don’t let the door hit you on the
way out.
A phony double-faced person like yourself
does not need to be in our Democratic Party.
So make sure that you never return to the Democratic Party. Especially when we
win back the White House in November
7, 2028.
Hasta la vista /
Bi-den 👋🏻
nilram
(3,214 posts)If you're a mil/billionaire and you don't give a shit about the human race or any one else, then vote that way. Otherwise, vote for public servants who have some empathy.
hlthe2b
(110,189 posts)and have since engaged in the worst of the worst "Jake Tapper-level" recriminations toward him since. It must have been incredibly difficult for her.
I am a little surprised at the vitriol toward her. She has never been anything but loyal to Biden and Democrats in general. If she takes a break from the party to be an independent, that doesn't automatically mean she won't vote for and support Dems, does it?
I too am a little surprised at the vitriol toward her. She has never been anything but loyal to Biden and Democrats in general.
Jkanad
(27 posts)…along with telling folks about her new book says a lot.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(25,212 posts)brush
(60,243 posts)the party was loyal to her.
tulipsandroses
(7,412 posts)I don’t have a problem with her being an independent. I wholeheartedly supported VP Harris for president but I detested the way it was done. I said it then, when it is all said and done, books will be written and people will be shocked at who did what. Tremendous respect for all that Speaker Pelosi has done in her career but I am no fan of how she handled things with Joe.
I am not surprised that Karrine, seeing so much, would feel dejected.
ShazzieB
(20,883 posts)All this piling on, I did not see it coming, and I don't think she deserves it.
Vogon_Glory
(9,876 posts)
Escape
(218 posts)compared to the current mountain of Republican crime, corruption and treason.
Odd priorities for a political book at this place and time in history.
FakeNoose
(37,600 posts)I already know the Repukes won't touch it.
NBachers
(18,608 posts)
JustAnotherGen
(35,313 posts)Until I know more. With all of the chatter from the white male elite class in the Democratic Party and their desire to make the party one of strictly white men, everyone else gets the crumbs . . .
She might be going in a specific direction with this.
slightlv
(5,787 posts)Yes, we have a broken two-party system... but until someone can show me how they can snap their fingers to make a correction, it's the only system we have. Perhaps if we ever regain power, we can look into other models... such as a parliamentary system. But truth be known, no system is great and they all have pros and cons. They are all people by humans... and until ordinary humans stop electing evil humans, every system will fail.
chowder66
(10,740 posts)".... pledges to take readers through the "betrayal by the Democratic Party" that prompted Biden's decision."
And this may have something else to do with it.....
"If you are willing to stand side by side with me, regardless of ... how you identify politically, and as long as you respect the community that I belong to and vulnerable communities that I respect, I will be there with you," she said.
I take this to mean she felt the Biden was railroaded and maybe she is referring to Dems who are talking about avoiding trans and lgbtq issues which could be a driving factor.
The LGBTQ issue is pure speculation on my part.
____________
Pritzker Balances Messaging as Some Dems Encourage Party to Avoid LGBTQ Issues
https://news.wttw.com/2025/04/22/pritzker-balances-messaging-some-dems-encourage-party-avoid-lgbtq-issues
JustAnotherGen
(35,313 posts)"If you are willing to stand side by side with me, regardless of ... how you identify politically, and as long as you respect the community that I belong to and vulnerable communities that I respect, I will be there with you," she said.
She's also a Black woman. The base. That's why I'm withholding judgment.
David Hogg isn't going to hand me a shit sandwich to vote for and expect me to eat it. No one in the base should.
markodochartaigh
(3,028 posts)she is referring to Dems who are talking about avoiding trans and lgbtq issues which could be a driving factor."
I have no idea whether this is true, but it would certainly be in line with the incredibly unbelievable amount of irony which seems commonplace today, considering that when Biden was vice president he took the unprecedented action of coming out for marriage equality before his president or his party was ready. Not that the average US voter, even average US lgbtq voter, remembers that valiant defense of our rights.
chowder66
(10,740 posts)Based on the excerpt it seems she was loyal to Biden and it's the players who were pushing to get Biden out that unnerved her?
So maybe she is just fed up with what she experienced, saw or read... or whatever.
I'm reserving judgement as I don't know what she is going to say in her book (which means I'll shut up about it now). : )
dchill
(42,598 posts)markodochartaigh
(3,028 posts)but there are only two viable parties in the US at the state and federal levels (many local elections do not have Democratic candidates in the South and Intermountain West, and it is debatable whether the Republican party is really a party since in 2015 they chose an authoritarian Strong Leader who was not committed to democracy).
But regardless of how you identify if you stay home or do not vote for the one party which is committed to continuing democracy, then you are one of those who would rather be told how you will live your life rather than tell the government how you want to live your life.
GiqueCee
(2,349 posts)... her detractors doth protesteth too much.
I'm a die-hard Liberal down to my DNA, and I always will be, but when I make a mistake, I own it, and do my best to make up for it.
Ms Jean-Pierre was on the inside, and privy to events that none of us can fully understand or appreciate without having been there. Jumping to conclusions without all the facts has happened more often than we might care to recall. Al Franken can tell us all about that. And I'm sure Joe Biden could, too, if he wasn't so damned honorable. Because he WAS betrayed, make no mistake about that.
Tapper has proven himself to be a craven opportunist with the moral compass of a rabid hyena, but let's at least read Karine's book before casting accusations, shall we?
I have long advocated for candidates for public office to run on their own merits, without being beholden to cadres of old white men – of whom I am one, BTW – in order to get financial and media support for a campaign. But far too many career politicians are far too invested in what absolutely IS a broken system. It could be argued that to dismiss any hope of improving said system because it would be too much trouble, IS the trouble.
C'mon... we're better than that.
Let the slings and arrows commence.
spooky3
(37,575 posts)We can have only a two party system.
Dave Bowman
(5,311 posts)twodogsbarking
(13,977 posts)
badhair77
(4,886 posts)I have no idea how brutal it was behind the scenes. I’m willing to let her have her say and I’ll go from there. On the surface it looked like she was nothing more than loyal to Biden and the Dems during her service in that job. I say we give her time to heal and decompress, and if writing about it helps that then ok.
IcyPeas
(23,720 posts)
bottomofthehill
(9,195 posts)No profile in courage is she for this act. She could have left any time but stayed as long as their was a check to cash.
Rebl2
(16,516 posts)
SunSeeker
(56,012 posts)Fuck her and her book.
FBaggins
(28,115 posts)If we were lied to - she was the one doing the lying. The boy who cried wolf doesn’t gain credibility later claiming that the cries were lies.
maxsolomon
(36,656 posts)Retreat 1 step from the Dems and it just puts Repukes in power. Like right now, which is the worst political era of my life.
Mike Nelson
(10,615 posts)... the release will likely have a bigger item - place your bets on a "shocking revelation!"
stillcool
(34,143 posts)changed my party affiliation but never actually voted as an independent. I think it may have been the Iraq War that pushed me over the edge, and by the time of the next election I was a Democrat again. The government and politics is broken beyond repair, and I have no issues with anyone changing parties. If you're running for election in anything close to a red state I would think you would have to be an independent. The hatred of Democrats now, is something I've never seen. I think it's the poisonous garbage talk that is so prevalent in our society. Has no relevance, and nothing to do with reality. Just suppositions, assumptions, accusations, toxic verbiage directed everywhere and nowhere. Damages to the human psyche is not limited to the GOP.
Jilly_in_VA
(12,096 posts)primarily because of two things. One is that we are not a parliamentary democracy, which forces coalitions between multiple parties (in some ways I'd honestly prefer that, tbh(. The other is the archaic and damnable electoral college, which I fear we will never get rid of. Certainly not in my lifetime, which is winding down, as I stare my 81st birthday in the face.
Now I am a Democrat and always will be (I'm a blue diaper baby, my parents having been FDR Democrats who never voted anything else) but there have been times, including now, when I've been incredibly frustrated with the party. I just don't see any other alternative. Not the way things are currently constructed.
Wiz Imp
(5,396 posts)that make me think a large portion of the posters here have lost their collective minds.
LetMyPeopleVote
(164,696 posts)I was also not happy with the way that President Biden was treated by some in the party
Link to tweet
the_liberal_grandpa
(208 posts)It's not like she switched to the republican party. She changed to independent. You know, like Bernie Sanders.
I can't tell you how pissed i am at Democrats and am strongly considering doing the same thing.
My values have not changed. I am an FDR Democrat and want to support progressive democrats who fight.
I am also sick of Senators like Schumer who want to "work across the isle" or send "strongly worded letters"
I donated money to Fetterman and Gallego and they failed to even come close to my expectations.
I also donated to Derek Tran who won as my representative.
They all voted for the Laken Riley act right out of the gate so I knew I had backed candidates that were not the progressive I hoped for.
I will no longer donate to Dem candidates who have PACS or take corporate money. I also will not donate to new candidates that have no record of supporting progressive causes.
I to am considering switching my affiliation to Independent and still supporting good Dem candidates.
Changing to Independent does not mean you don't support Democrats. I want fighters and if changing my affiliation can help get that through their thick skulls I would do it tomorrow.
cadoman
(1,335 posts)If you have Democratic values, you are a fucking Democrat.
If you hate fascism, you are a fucking Democrat.
If you hate racism, you are a fucking Democrat.
If you vote for the Democratic Party, you are a fucking Democrat.
Stop changing your fucking registrations and affiliations to something you are not. It proves nothing.
BootinUp
(49,939 posts)Pachamama
(17,302 posts)I met her years ago when she was working with Move On. I considered her then - and ever since - and most definitely now - an opportunist out for what was good for herself.
She couldn’t hold a candle to Jen Psaki so there should even be no comparisons.
Good riddance
RandiFan1290
(6,527 posts)
LetMyPeopleVote
(164,696 posts)Link to tweet
Here is a good interview that explains her decision
Link to tweet
I am also not happy with how some treated President Biden