Minutes after White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki gave the Biden administration’s blessing Thursday for progressives to stage protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices, NPR White House reporter Franco Ordoñez sucked up to Psaki’s successor Karine Jean-Pierre, by wondering if she could share “what this means to you”Leave a comment about both “the historic nature” of her appointment and advice for “young girls” and “minority communities.”
Psaki was congratulated by the reporter at the taxpayer-funded outlet, and then he asked Jean-Pierre if he had any questions. “could share some words about what this means to her…and if [she] could talk a little bit about the historic nature of” The appointment of the first black press secretary and the first openly homosexual press secretary.
Of course, Jean-Pierre thanked him for the question before stating she had to first “thank Jen” for having been “a wonderful colleague, a friend, a mentor” In addition to being “a true, solid, amazing person.”
The former MoveOn.org spokeswoman insisted she’s “still processing it because…this is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me”So “understand[s]It is so important for many people, in so many communities. I am proud to stand by them[.]”
Adding it’ll be “an honor and a privilege to be behind this podium” full-time, Jean-Pierre finally brought up the President by promising to “do my best to represent this President and this First Lady the best that I can, but also the American people.”
She summarized Thursday’s speech as follows: “very emotional,” Ordoñez lobbed another softball: “I mean, there’s a lot of folks who questioned when this day would happen. You mean, your message to them? And, like, what — what is the message to — to young girls, to minority communities. Young boys, too.”
Jean-Pierre was happy to keep going, and boasted she “used to teach college students” “would say to them — and it took me a little bit of time to figure this part out that I’m about to share with you, which is: Follow your passion. You should follow what you believe. And — and just, you know, keep that — keep that focus, because that matters.”
Warning that “you’ll be knocked down” and endure “tough times,” Jean-Pierre argued that “the rewards are amazing, especially if you stay true to yourself. And so that’s what I would tell them.”
One reporter brought in a softie before Psaki was given the podium.
Unidentified FEMALE REPORTER [B]Are you a woman from color?
JEAN-PIERRE : Not at all. It was something I worked very hard for, and I know how difficult it can be. Yes, I do. It’s something we all strive for, and it is worth the effort. I’m going to give it back to Jen. Thanks, everybody.
Later, another reporter questioned Psaki about what “your plans” are “now that you have a successor,” but Psaki refused to bite on revealing she’ll be JoinMSNBC, Peacock
Psaki maintained she had “nothing to announce…other than…to sleep, to read books” and “stream” whatever’s on Hulu and Netflix.
To see the relevant briefing transcript from May 5, click “expand.”
White House Press Briefing
May 5, 2022
Eastern at 5:41FRANCO ORDOÑEZ: Thanks, Jen. Congratulations and many thanks for the kind words. I wanted to ask Karine, though, if she could share some words about what this means to her — what this means to you, Karine.
JEN PSAKI (Sure)
ORDOÑEZ: And — and if you could talk a little bit about the historic nature of what you’re about to —
PSAKI: Let’s get up. The good news is the podium height is the same because we’re both very short. [LAUGHTER] So, go — go ahead.
JEAN-PIERRE: Wow. Thanks for your question. I first want to — want to take this opportunity, while I have it, to thank Jen. She’s been an amazing colleague, friend and mentor over the past year. And I don’t think I would be here without so many people, but including her and she is just — just a true, solid, amazing person and so, we were very lucky to have her here this past year and a half. So, I wanted to make sure I had the opport- — since I have the opportunity —
PSAKI: I’m going to give you another hug.
JEAN-PIERRE: — to say that. We were doing a lot of crying —
PSAKI: Yeah. [LAUGHTER]
JEAN-PIERRE: — so I’m trying not to do it now. Wow. I am still processing it because, as Jen said at the top, this is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me. This is a very important moment for people in many places, and it has been a part of my entire career. It is an honour and privilege to stand behind Jen in the next week. And that — that is something that I will honor and do my best to represent this President and this First Lady the best that I can, but also the American people. And so, it is — you know, it’s a very emotional day. That’s probably the best way that I can explain it: a very emotional day. This moment and the time it represents are what I cherish. I want to make others proud.
ORDOÑEZ: And, Karine, I mean, there’s a lot of folks who questioned when this day would happen. You mean, your message to them? And, like, what — what is the message to — to young girls, to —
JEAN-PIERRE: And young boys, too.
ORDOÑEZ: — minority communities. Young boys, too.
JEAN-PIERRE: Yeah, young girls and young boys. Let’s not — you know, I think this is important for them to see this as well. You know, I used to — I used to teach college students. I had the pleasure of doing that for about six, seven years and they would ask me, you know, this — a similar question, like, “How did you get to where you got to?” And I would say to them — and it took me a little bit of time to figure this part out that I’m about to share with you, which is: Follow your passion. You should follow what you believe. And — and just, you know, keep that — keep that focus, because that matters. If you’re passionate about your goals and work hard towards them, you will achieve them. And, yes, you’ll be knocked down and you’ll have some tough times. And it won’t be easy all the time, but the rewards are pretty amazing, especially if you stay true to yourself. And so that’s what I would tell them. When I do see them, they often mention my words with you. And so that’s what I would say. And, you know, there are people who support them, people who will lift them up when they’re down. And so, I think that’s really important to know. And, you know, I think so many of them as well — they are standing on shoulders, on folks who came before them, and are creating these opportunities that I currently have and will, you know, take that on the best as I can.
CONGRATS! UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Karine, have you ever doubt — being a woman of color, have you ever doubt be in this position one day?
JEAN-PIERRE : Not at all. It was something I worked very hard for, and I know how difficult it can be. Yes, I do. It’s something we all strive for, and it is worth the effort. I’m going to give it back to Jen. Thanks, everybody.
(….)
Eastern Time: 6:00 PM
UNIDENTIFIED RECORDER: A quickie. Tell us what you are planning now to have a replacement.
PSAKI: I have — I have nothing to announce on my plans other than, as I said earlier, to sleep, to read books.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER – Will you continue to be on television?
PSAKI: If there’s anything I should stream on Netflix or wherever — Hulu, other places — I’m happy to do that. I accept recommendations. So, I’m — I’m, today, obviously just celebrating Karine. And I will have a lot to say about my team, the President, Dr. Biden, all of you — I’m just kidding; it will be nice things about all of you — next week, but nothing to say or announce about what’s next.