The White House has denied that press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has prevented national security spokesperson John Kirby from attending a recent briefing, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
People familiar with the tense relationship between the two spokespeople told Axios that the two spokespeople privately shared their frustrations with Kirby in his position as the top foreign affairs communicator.
However, deputy press secretary Andrew Bates denied this version of events, telling the media that “the portrayal of their dynamics is inaccurate” and that they “have a respectful relationship.”
“In recent weeks, a wide range of guests have come to the briefing room to discuss pressing domestic issues,” he added.
Bates said it was “untrue” that Jean-Pierre had objected to the suggestion that Kirby be on the podium.
Kirby, who previously served as State Department spokesperson and twice as Pentagon spokesperson, attended most of the briefings following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, but has not taken the podium in recent months. There were hardly any.
His profile diminished this summer when President Joe Biden’s top communications aide, Anita Dunn, left the White House, according to Axios. Since then, Jean-Pierre has taken control of the press room.
The paper noted that 20 press conferences have been held since Mr. Dunn left on July 30, and Mr. Kirby attended three of them. This year, 64 information sessions were held as of July 30th. Kirby participated in 35 of them.
A person familiar with the matter told Axios that Jean-Pierre objected every time Kirby suggested he participate in press conferences after Dunn resigned, and that the decision was made by White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients. He said he is entrusting it to the government.
Jean-Pierre had reportedly been unhappy with Kirby’s role for some time, but it was Biden’s preference to have both appear at the press conference. But officials said Jean-Pierre believed Kirby looked like he needed an escort.
The press secretary told Zients that Kirby should make a decision when he walks into the briefing room. Up until now, the role of chief of staff has rested with Mr. Dunn, but Mr. Jean-Pierre has recently asserted greater decision-making authority.
“It was always the plan for Mr. Kirby to reduce the number of press conferences closer to the election,” another source told Axios.
The White House also noted comments Kirby and Jean-Pierre made to the New York Times praising each other in February.
“It was an honor to be with her, watch her work and learn from her,” Kirby said of Jean-Pierre.
Zients told the newspaper at the time that the press secretary “deftly represents the president and his policies every day.” However, the Axios report notes that earlier this year, Kirby expressed dissatisfaction with Jean-Pierre’s growing influence in the press room, saying she was not careful about which reporters asked him questions as an example of her “territoriality.” He claims to have listed what he chose.
In response, the White House promoted Mr. Kirby to chief of staff and told reporters in February that he would maintain a small staff. Although he appears less and less in press rooms, he still performs virtual gags and appears on television shows.
But several current and former administration staffers have complained about Kirby’s absence from the briefing room at a time of international turmoil.
The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
