### Karine Jean-Pierre's Exit Sparks Discontent Among Former Colleagues

Karine Jean-Pierre’s decision to depart the Democratic Party, announced alongside her new book release, has reignited longstanding frustrations among her ex-White House colleagues. Serving as President Joe Biden’s press secretary, Jean-Pierre’s celebrity pursuits and media appearances became a point of contention. According to seven former Biden administration officials, grievances that simmered for years have now boiled over.

One former official mentioned that Jean-Pierre had even joked about becoming an independent while still holding her position at the White House—an ill-timed comment for someone representing a major political party. Another former official noted that Jean-Pierre had engaged a New York-based publicist during her stint in the administration, going so far as to include the publicist in official emails until colleagues stepped in.

Many former staffers view Jean-Pierre’s book project, "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines," as a strategic move to cash in. The book is reported to delve into the turbulence following Biden's unfortunate debate performance last summer, attributing Biden's eventual withdrawal from the re-election race in part to what the book calls “a betrayal by the Democratic Party.”

Colleagues have openly criticized what they see as Jean-Pierre's opportunistic behavior. A former staffer remarked that Jean-Pierre’s previous joke about becoming an independent has now transformed into a monetized book idea. Caitlin Legacki, a Democratic strategist who worked in the Commerce Department during Biden’s term, also disagreed with the book’s premise. She commended Biden and Harris for preventing a significant Republican victory in the elections, arguing that the Democratic Party's decision to have Biden step aside was crucial in averting disaster.

Additionally, Jean-Pierre’s focus on personal media exposure during her tenure drew ire from colleagues. Despite being the public face of the administration for two and a half years, her interactions with the press often lacked effectiveness and left much of the hands-on media management to other aides.

Some speculate that the lack of post-White House opportunities, such as a potential co-host role on "The View," may have driven Jean-Pierre towards the book deal. Jeremy Edwards, a former press shop colleague, offered a terse reaction to her project on social media: "lol."

Jean-Pierre's trajectory mirrors that of Stephanie Grisham, former press secretary during Donald Trump's first term, who also turned against her administration in a tell-all book. However, unlike Grisham, Jean-Pierre was a prominent public figure during her tenure, which adds another layer of complexity to her recent actions and statements.

As discontent brews, one Democratic operative criticized Jean-Pierre for positioning herself as a mediator between the parties, despite her controversial exit. The operative questioned her credibility and alleged that her actions were driven by ego rather than a genuine desire to bridge political divides.