Recent allegations have surfaced regarding an internal effort within the Biden administration to orchestrate a departure for White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. These claims, first reported by the New York Post and attributed to unnamed sources, suggest that senior Biden adviser Anita Dunn and White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients were involved in seeking a graceful exit for Jean-Pierre.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Andrew Bates has strongly refuted these allegations, describing them as “wildly false.” According to Bates, neither Dunn nor Zients has pursued any action to suggest or facilitate Jean-Pierre’s departure. Bates emphasized the administration’s full support for Jean-Pierre, noting her extensive daily preparation and dedication to her role.
The rumors detailed by the Post included efforts by outside Democrats familiar to Jean-Pierre, suggesting it might be an opportune time for her to step down, coinciding with the typical tenure of past press secretaries. However, one source noted Jean-Pierre’s firm intention to remain in her position through the upcoming election, despite the speculated plans.
Criticism of Jean-Pierre has centered on her reliance on prepared notes during press briefings, with some insiders claiming this hinders her ability to provide spontaneous and robust responses. Yet, Bates defended her use of notes, pointing out that it is a common practice among press secretaries.
The discussion around Jean-Pierre’s potential departure comes at a challenging time for the Biden administration as they gear up for the 2024 presidential campaign. Amidst this, a new poll suggests President Biden is facing a tough re-election race, with former President Donald Trump showing a strong lead in head-to-head and multi-candidate matchups.
