Karine Jean-Pierre on why she left the Democrats — and calls herself independent

Majd Al-Waheidi

Michel Martin

October 21, 2025 / 2:00 am

For nearly three years, Karine Jean-Pierre served as White House press secretary, the public face of the Biden administration through daily briefings and trips around the world.

In a new book, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines , published Oct. 21, Jean-Pierre says that the party's internal dysfunction and disloyalty had helped pave the way for its 2024 defeat.

Speaking with Morning Edition host Michel Martin, she reflected on her time in the administration and described why she decided to step away from the party she once represented.

Here are five takeaways from the conversation.

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1. She say

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