Former Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre leaves Democrats, urges Americans to move beyond party lines in new memoir.

Jean-Pierre Announces Departure from Democratic Party

Karine Jean-Pierre, who served as President Joe Biden’s chief spokesperson for over two years, has announced she is leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent. In a move that surprised political observers, Jean-Pierre said she could no longer support a political climate defined by “blind loyalty to a two-party democratic system.”

The announcement comes as Jean-Pierre promotes her new memoir, “Independent,” which details her journey from the White House podium to political independence. “Americans must begin to look beyond party lines and embrace life as an Independent,” her publisher stated in a press release. The book, timed for release a year after the 2024 election, delves into the events leading up to President Biden’s decision to abandon his re-election campaign and what Jean-Pierre describes as a betrayal by party leaders.

Reflection on Partisan Defense and Policy Battles

During her tenure from May 2022 to January 2025, Jean-Pierre became known for her vigorous defense of Biden administration policies as they navigated turbulent political waters, from the border crisis and the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade to heated debates over transgender rights and the administration’s rhetoric targeting President Donald Trump.

Jean-Pierre’s time as press secretary was marked by passionate statements from the White House podium. In 2022, she declared, “We are not finishing a wall. We are cleaning up the mess that the prior administration made. We are trying to save lives.” She often framed the administration’s immigration policies as a reversal of Trump-era approaches, labeling a border wall “an ineffective use of taxpayer dollars.”

She also responded to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision ending the constitutional right to abortion, calling it “extreme” and warning of its impact on families and women’s lives. On LGBTQ issues, Jean-Pierre was an outspoken advocate, repeatedly condemning state-level bills targeting transgender youth and policies, describing such legislation as “shameful” and “unacceptable.”

Political Rhetoric, Security, and Calls for Civility

The final year of her White House service was marked by increased political violence and rhetorical tensions. In 2024, Trump survived two separate assassination attempts. Amid these incidents, Jean-Pierre faced questions about the administration’s language, particularly after President Biden and Vice President Harris described Trump as a “threat to democracy.” During a September press conference, she rebuffed a journalist’s suggestion to temper the rhetoric, saying, “We’re using examples. We’re not just saying that just to say it.”

Jean-Pierre’s departure from the Democratic Party and her new message urging Americans to think independently come at a time of deep polarization and renewed questions about the direction of U.S. politics. Her personal journey—from the White House briefing room to public calls for an end to “blind loyalty”—signals a broader reckoning within the Democratic Party and American political life at large.