WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has rejected a presidential bid from EMILY’s List, a group that raises money to elect supportive Democratic women. abortion rights — according to two people familiar with the proposal.
A member of the organization’s board called Jean-Pierre in December to invite him to interview for the position, realizing he would be on the fast track to approval. According to one of the sources, EMILY’s List is currently led by interim president Jessica Mackler, who is now expected to be offered the permanent job.
Jean-Pierre, whose face and voice are familiar to Americans since he took over as President Joe Biden’s chief spokesman in May 2022, thanked the board member for the interest. But he refused to leave White House.
“I’m loyal to the president,” Jean-Pierre replied, according to people familiar with the conversation. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Jean-Pierre, as a spokesman for EMILY’s List, declined to comment for this article.
The case opened in October Laphonza ButlerHe was appointed to D-Calif. in 2021 to fill the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who was the organization’s president.
Biden is expected to face a tough rematch with former President Donald Trump, who is trying to block the Republican nomination. A high-profile departure from the White House team — even for a plum gig at the head of one of the political left’s most prominent organizations — could signal concerns about his reelection chances.
Aside from a long-term spot in a high-profile operation, there are reasons why Jean-Pierre found an attractive outside offer: He good chronic battle At the podium in the White House briefing room with John Kirby, who has just been promoted to the position of White House national security communications adviser.
In the midst of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, Kirby was a regular in the briefing room, taking over the national security portfolio from Jean-Pierre. He remains the White House’s primary voice on domestic affairs.