Karine Jean-Pierre has made Black history and it ain’t even February. Yesterday, the former political commentator made history as the first openly gay Black woman to lead a White House Press Briefing.
“I appreciate the historic nature. I really do,” Jean-Pierre said when asked about her barrier-breaking moment.
“But I believe that being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building isn’t about one person. It’s about what we do on behalf of the American people. Clearly, the president believes representation matters, and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity.”
Jean-Pierre is a potential successor for current White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. Psaki, an Obama administration veteran, has indicated that she plans to move on for the role within the next year. As a result, many Washington, D.C. insiders believe that Jean-Pierre and senior advisor Symone Sanders are the two top candidates for the job. While Sanders and Jean-Pierre are competing for the same job, Sanders wasted no time congratulating her colleague for making history.
“I will be raising my coffee cup during the WH press briefing in celebration of representation, aptitude and brilliance. The ancestors are proud,” Sanders tweeted.
Sanders will likely have an opportunity to lead a press briefing as well in the near future.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary, makes her briefing room debut at the podium & starts by talking about Kristen Clarke, head of the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ, & Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, who will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. pic.twitter.com/pdV0qfhCkU
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) May 26, 2021
