John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson and White House national security communications adviser, is reportedly frustrated with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for selecting reporters during his briefings.
Kirby has expressed his desire to become press secretary and feels frustrated that Jean-Pierre controls which reporters ask him questions. Tensions between Kirby and Jean-Pierre escalated over who would speak for President Biden, particularly because Jean-Pierre transitioned from being an MSNBC political commentator to a senior adviser for Biden.
Kirby’s frustration is evident as he believes he has more experience and competence in responding to reporters compared to Jean-Pierre. This sentiment is highlighted by instances where Jean-Pierre struggles to answer questions or potentially misleads the public. However, according to a New York Times report, Jean-Pierre experienced “growing pains” as she adjusted to her role.
Karine Jean-Pierre must not realize violent crime is skyrocketing in Democrat-run Washington, D.C.
In 2023, D.C. saw the biggest increase in violent crime of any other major U.S. city. pic.twitter.com/b9VH1XOgY4
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 13, 2024
Despite their reported conflicts, Kirby and Jean-Pierre have publicly praised each other, attempting to divert attention from their disagreements.
They have exchanged compliments, with Jean-Pierre acknowledging Kirby’s military experience and service to the country, while Kirby praised Jean-Pierre as a ground-breaking professional and role model. Their attempts to present a united front come after a report about tensions between them surfaced.
"When can we talk to the president's doctor!?"
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: "Special Counsel Hur is, as far as I remember, is a, is a, obviously a, a Republican, a, a, a, a prosecutor…" pic.twitter.com/mVM5fvF067
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 12, 2024
Kirby has been more visible in front of reporters since the Israel-Hamas war began, which coincides with the reported onset of tensions between him and Jean-Pierre following Jen Psaki’s departure as press secretary in 2022. It remains unclear how long Kirby and Jean-Pierre will share the podium, but they seem focused on managing the fallout from the Times report and maintaining a cohesive front.
In summary, the article outlines the reported frustration and tensions between John Kirby and Karine Jean-Pierre regarding their roles in the White House communication team. Despite their differences, they have attempted to publicly present a united front, emphasizing mutual respect and professionalism. However, underlying tensions persist, and their future collaboration remains uncertain.