Karine Jean-Pierre becomes the second Black woman to lead a White House press briefing
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre just made history. But she's not here to focus on that.
On Wednesday, Jean-Pierre became the first Black woman in 30 years (and only the second ever) to conduct a briefing behind the hallowed White House press podium, Politico reports. She's also the first openly gay spokeswoman to do so. When asked about her landmark appearance, Jean-Pierre replied, "I appreciate the historic nature ... but I believe that being behind this podium ... is not about one person. It's about what we do on behalf of the American people."
“The president believes representation matters,” Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about the historic nature of her leading the White House’s daily press briefing. https://t.co/VTBa4Oe1QI pic.twitter.com/9MpfTjuDWd
— POLITICO (@politico) May 26, 2021
She says she's "proud" that President Biden's is the "most diverse administration in history," but again, "this is not about me."
USA Today reports that Jean-Pierre could be tapped as next year's replacement to Press Secretary Jenn Psaki, who took to Twitter today to share in the excitement. She made sure to note that doing Jean-Pierre "real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance and her wonderful spirit."
Today is a big day in the press office and @WhiteHouse. My partner in truth--@KJP46 is doing her first full briefing from the podium today making history in her own right. But doing her real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance and her wonderful spirit.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) May 26, 2021
A "longtime Democratic political hand," Jean-Pierre was formerly the "top public affairs staffer" for MoveOn.org before signing on to Biden's presidential campaign, NPR reports.
