Democratic Party’s ‘Firing Squad’: Jean-Pierre Speaks Out on Biden’s Forced Exit

Karine Jean-Pierre Criticizes Democratic Leaders Over Biden’s Ouster

Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has openly criticized Democratic leaders for their role in forcing President Joe Biden out of his 2024 reelection campaign. Speaking recently at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, Jean-Pierre described the party’s swift action against Biden as unprecedented and deeply disappointing. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Wikimedia

Jean-Pierre on Post-Debate: ‘It Was a Firing Squad’ as Democrats Urged Biden to Step Down

Jean-Pierre reflected on the tumultuous period following Biden’s poor debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. After the debate, key Democratic figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, pressured Biden to exit the race, fearing an electoral loss.

“It was a firing squad and I had never seen anything like it before,” Jean-Pierre stated. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jean-Pierre Reflects on Democratic Response to Biden’s Exit: 'That Was Shocking'

She expressed frustration that rather than uniting to strategize a path forward, the party instead swiftly dismantled Biden’s candidacy. “That was shocking, shocking!” she said. “Instead of coming together to really be unified and trying to figure out how do we save our democracy, how do we fight back, that was what it was seeing.” The White House / Wikimedia

Biden’s Exit and the Fallout for Democrats

Biden ultimately withdrew from the race in July 2024, handing the Democratic nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris. However, Harris lost to Trump in the general election, and Republicans gained control of both the House and Senate. Jean-Pierre suggested that the Democratic Party’s internal divisions contributed significantly to these losses. “Truly unfortunate, and I think it hurt us more than I think folks realized,” she remarked.

Jean-Pierre also spoke about her tenure as press secretary, calling it the “hardest job in the White House.” She admitted to struggling at times but credited senior advisor Mike Donilon for helping her navigate the role. “Almost every word, everything I say has been approved,” she acknowledged. The White House / Wikimedia

Jean-Pierre Steps Away from Politics: 'I Have Not Missed It at All'

Since leaving her position, Jean-Pierre has distanced herself from politics.

“The last time I watched the news was January 20th,” she shared, emphasizing her commitment to self-care. While she remains uncertain about her future career plans, she expressed gratitude for her time as press secretary.

“I have not missed it at all,” she admitted, adding that she takes pride in being the “longest-serving female press secretary” in U.S. history. The White House / Wikimedia