The Press Secretary has a tough job. She has to do her best to cover for the clown show of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
But now Karine Jean-Pierre humiliated the Biden administration right at the 11th hour.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is facing criticism for reportedly sidelining National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby during a critical press briefing on Wednesday.
The briefing, expected to address the major hostage deal and ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas conflict, instead left reporters with little information.
Fox News White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich expressed frustration with the lack of substantive updates.
“Zero news made in KJP’s final briefing,” Heinrich said. “She had no details on the ceasefire/hostage deal that will end 400 days of fighting, a defining element of Biden’s presidency – instead directing reporters to an NSC background call.”
Heinrich went further, citing sources who alleged that Jean-Pierre blocked Kirby from taking the podium.
“Sources familiar with the situation tell me KJP blocked John Kirby from briefing the press on the ceasefire, wanting to keep the spotlight to herself,” she said.
The Wall Street Journal’s Alex Ward corroborated the claims, posting on X:
“White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stopped NSC spokesman John Kirby from briefing at the podium today, during which he would have briefed on the Israel-Hamas cease-fire.”
This is not the first time Jean-Pierre has reportedly clashed with Kirby over control of the podium.
Axios previously reported in October that Kirby’s appearances were discontinued because Jean-Pierre opposed them, even though President Joe Biden had supported a dual presence.
“Jean-Pierre has long privately fumed about Kirby’s role,” the report noted.
“Having both of them at the podium was what Biden wanted, but Jean-Pierre thought that Kirby’s presence gave the impression she needed a chaperone.”
Jean-Pierre also reportedly voiced complaints about her lack of authority in deciding when Kirby would join briefings, further straining the dynamic between the two.
During Wednesday’s briefing, Jean-Pierre provided only a brief mention of the ceasefire and hostage deal, a critical moment in Biden’s presidency.
She also sought to minimize the role of President-elect Donald Trump in securing the agreement, leaving reporters with more questions than answers.
The decision to exclude Kirby from the briefing has drawn backlash as critics argue that the press and public deserved a more thorough explanation of such a significant international development.
As the ceasefire and hostage deal mark a pivotal point in U.S. foreign policy, the controversy surrounding Jean-Pierre’s handling of the situation raises questions about priorities within the administration’s communication strategy.
During her final Press Briefing, Karine repeatedly pushed back on any attempt to credit Trump’s team for influencing the Israeli/Hamas hostage deal.
She was stunned to learn that the Biden State Department had credited the hostage deal to Trump. pic.twitter.com/E4sFVsHaoy
— Media Lies (@MediasLies) January 16, 2025
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
