Biden suffers big jolt as his longtime aide claims she’s no longer a Democrat and makes shocking departure

Former US President Joe Biden's longtime White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Wednesday she has left the Democratic Party to become an independent. Jean-Pierre, who faced scrutiny during her tenure as press secretary for being evasive about Biden's physical condition, made the revelation in her new book; "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines," published on October 21, reports NewsWeek.

Karine, who worked for two Democratic presidents and had one of the most public-facing roles in the Biden administration, is urging Americans to “embrace life as independents.” The book is described in promotional materials as a “groundbreaking, revelatory assessment of America’s broken two-party system.”

ALSO READ: 'Wicked: For Good' trailer is coming to select theaters in US. Check time and other details

Biden's aide leaves Democratic party

Jean-Pierre, 50, worked as Biden’s top spokeswoman for two years and eight months and stunned fellow White House alums by announcing the looming release of “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,” due out on Oct. 21.

“Jean-Pierre didn’t come to her decision to be an Independent lightly,” Hachette Book Group says in a promotional release, which hints that she may focus her ire on figures aside from Biden in the account.

“She has served two American presidents, Obama and Biden … She takes us through the three weeks that led to Biden’s abandoning his bid for a second term and the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to his decision,” the tease goes.

"I think we need to stop thinking in boxes and think outside of our boxes and not be so partisan," Jean-Pierre said in a video shared to Instagram.

"If you are willing to stand side by side with me, regardless of ... how you identify politically, and as long as you respect the community that I belong to and vulnerable communities that I respect, I will be there with you," she said.

ALSO READ: Trump's sweeping bill to cut taxes by $3.75 trillion but will burden millions of Americans. Check details

Who is Karine Jean-Pierre?

Jean-Pierre became the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ+ person to become the White House press secretary after Jen Psaki left the post. Former President Biden exited the White House race last July, amid questions about his mental and physical acuity.

“In an urgent, timely analysis,’Independent’ urges all Americans to vote their values and maintain individuality within party lines,” the publisher said, calling the book a “hard-hitting yet hopeful critique.

The ex- press secretary’s time in the role was defined by her unwavering support of President Biden’s mental sharpness and job performance.

In a 2022 briefing that drew skepticism from reporters, she explained the president’s reference to the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) at an event by saying the congresswoman was “top of mind.” The following July, she asserted that Biden remained “sharp as ever,” despite mounting public concern.

ALSO READ: Under Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill, over 10 million more Americans projected to lose insurance

Though Jean-Pierre was generally well-liked by the press for her affable style, some within the administration felt her defenses of the president lacked impact, particularly when she relied heavily on reading from a binder during press exchanges.

She concluded her tenure in January with an emotional farewell briefing — one that sparked internal frustration after she declined to share the podium with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who was slated to address a newly announced hostage release deal with Hamas.