It was officially announced Thursday that White House press secretary Jen Psaki will be stepping down from her position. Starting next week, current principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will step into the position in front of the White House press corps in the briefing room. It means she will now be tasked with, among other things, fielding the right-wing talking points thinly veiled as questions from conservative hacks like Peter Doocy.
Jean-Pierre will become the first Black woman as well as the first openly gay person to fill the role of White House press secretary. Last year, Jean-Pierre appeared in front of the White House press and did a rather superb job answering some truly terrible questions. Jean-PIerre’s appearance last year represented only the second time a Black woman had led a White House press briefing.* When asked about the historic nature of the event, Jean-Pierre told the press, "This is not about me. This is not about any of us. And anytime I’m behind here—and I know you’ve heard Jen [Psaki] say this as well—we are going to be truthful, we’re going to be transparent, and that’s the way I believe the president would want us to communicate to the American people."
* Judy Smith led a briefing 30 years earlier in 1991.
In a statement, President Biden said, “Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people. Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.” Jean-Pierre tweeted out: “It is a true honor. I look forward to serving this Administration and the American people. I have big shoes to fill. @PressSec has been a great friend, mentor and excellent press secretary.”
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Psaki has given the United States a much more competent view of the White House briefing room after four years of whatever clown the Trump administration decided to send out for the day—or not send out at all. She has also provided some good entertainment for non-ultra-right-wing media outlets with her frequent slam dunking of propaganda minions from Fox News and the like. On Thursday, Psaki didn’t disappoint, giving one last jab to suspected masochist Peter Doocy of Fox News.
As for Jen Psaki, while she has not officially announced her next steps and did not do so during today’s briefing, the Hollywood Reporter has said that Psaki is in talks to join MSNBC, possibly hosting her own show.
Here’s Jen Psaki introducing Karine Jean-Pierre
Enjoy some Jen Psaki highlights below:
Jen Psaki, sick and tired of transphobic BS, stumps Doocy with a question of her own
Jen Psaki goes two-for-one, slam dunking Josh Hawley on reporter's head
Psaki stumps reporter who attempts to disguise GOP-fabricated talking points as genuine questions