A power struggle has emerged in the White House briefing room, pitting Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre against National Security Spokesperson John Kirby.
According to Axios, Jean-Pierre has been actively preventing Kirby from joining her at the podium during White House press briefings.
The friction between Jean-Pierre and Kirby has become increasingly apparent in recent months, particularly following the departure of Anita Dunn, the White House's top communications aide, this summer. Since Dunn's exit, Jean-Pierre has asserted more control over the briefing room, resulting in a significant decrease in Kirby's appearances.
The numbers paint a clear picture of Kirby's diminished role. Prior to July 30, when Dunn announced her departure, Kirby joined Jean-Pierre at the podium in approximately 55% of the 64 briefings held that year. However, in the 20 briefings since Dunn's exit, Kirby has appeared alongside Jean-Pierre only three times, representing a mere 15% of the briefings.
This shift is particularly noteworthy given Kirby's role as the President's top spokesperson for foreign affairs. Despite ongoing escalations in the Middle East conflict, Kirby's presence in the briefing room has been notably reduced.
Sources familiar with the situation report that Jean-Pierre has consistently pushed back against Kirby's suggestions to appear at briefings. The conflict escalated to the point where White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients had to intervene to make final decisions on Kirby's appearances.
Jean-Pierre's frustrations with Kirby's role are not new. She has reportedly expressed concerns that Kirby's presence at the podium gives the impression that she requires supervision. This sentiment has led to private complaints from Jean-Pierre, who believes she should have more control over when Kirby joins her for briefings. One insider familiar with the situation stated:
The president made the call to have Kirby regularly brief — and it's the president's briefing room, not anyone else's.
On the other hand, Kirby has also voiced his own frustrations with the arrangement. He has expressed exasperation at Jean-Pierre's territorial approach to the briefing room, including her insistence on selecting which reporters can question him.
The White House has attempted to downplay the reported tensions. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates refuted the characterization of Jean-Pierre and Kirby's relationship as inaccurate, stating that they maintain a respectful working relationship.
Bates also emphasized recent domestic issues that have taken precedence in briefings, such as responses to hurricanes and port strikes. He added:
In recent weeks there have been a wide range of guests in the briefing room as we communicate about urgent domestic issues.
Some current and former White House officials have expressed frustration at Kirby's absence from the podium, particularly given his extensive experience in speaking about foreign affairs. They argue that his presence would be beneficial during the current complex international situations.
The White House has previously stated that Kirby's role at the podium would decrease as the Middle East crisis ebbed. However, with the conflict intensifying, questions remain about the effectiveness of the current communications strategy.
In conclusion, the White House briefing room has become a stage for a power struggle between Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Spokesperson John Kirby. Jean-Pierre's efforts to limit Kirby's appearances have led to a significant decrease in his presence at briefings. The situation highlights the complexities of managing communications in the White House, especially during times of international tension.
