Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre set off a political firestorm on Wednesday after she announced her departure from the Democratic Party and the release of a tell-all memoir about what she calls a “broken” Biden administration.
Jean-Pierre, who served as former President Joe Biden’s top spokeswoman for nearly three years, revealed the move alongside news of her book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines, set to be released on Oct. 21.
“She has served two American presidents, [Barack] Obama and Biden,” the promotional book release says. “She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden’s abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision.”
Jean-Pierre’s announcement that she is now an independent drew criticism across social media and from former colleagues, who accused her of opportunism and hypocrisy.
Self-proclaimed “queer historical figure” Karine Jean-Pierre has now left the Democrat party and is selling a book that no one will buy. pic.twitter.com/D4XzrgaZ5l
— Andrew @ Don’t Walk, RUN! (@DontWalkRUN) June 4, 2025
Conservative influencer Link Lauren mocked the move on X, posting, “Perfectly on par with the Left. They can just identify as anything, and we’re supposed to believe it.”
Meghan McCain added her own scathing take: “This is like Baghdad Bob saying he’s no longer a citizen of Iraq.”
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer blasted Jean-Pierre’s credibility, saying, “She has no standing to call herself a nonpartisan, to come out against the people when she was the chief partisan.”
CNN commentator and former George W. Bush adviser Scott Jennings offered another rebuke: “Congrats to Democrats for ridding yourselves of this untalented mediocrity. The most self-aggrandizing liar ever to hold this job.”
Rob Bluey, executive editor of the Daily Signal, also criticized Jean-Pierre’s track record, writing, “Karine Jean-Pierre is responsible for revoking the press credentials of 442 reporters — a flagrant assault on the free press. She banished Daily Signal and others from covering the White House in 2023 when Biden aides were working overtime to cover up Joe’s health problems.”
Meanwhile, a former official told Politico: “Everyone thinks this is a grift,” referring to her memoir and sudden political shift.
Politico reported that Jean-Pierre’s book announcement “lit up Democratic and Biden alumni texting groups and reignited frustrations that burned for years.” According to seven former Biden administration officials who were granted anonymity to speak candidly, resentment over Jean-Pierre’s time in the White House remains strong.
“She frustrated colleagues throughout the West Wing for focusing on raising her own profile while leaving the hands-on management of media relations and the White House press shop to other aides,” Politico reported on Wednesday.