History of Karine Jean-Pierre in Timeline

Karine Jean-Pierre is a French-American political advisor. She is notable for being the first Black person and openly LGBTQ person to serve as White House Press Secretary, holding the position from May 2022 to January 2025. Prior to this role, she was the Deputy Press Secretary under Jen Psaki (2021-2022) and served as Chief of Staff for Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign. She also briefly served as a Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden. Her career marks significant milestones in representation within American politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 13, 1974: Karine Jean-Pierre Born

On August 13, 1974, Karine Jean-Pierre was born. She is a French-American political advisor.

Others born on this day/year

1991: First Black woman press briefing since 1991

On May 26, 2021, Jean-Pierre gave her first White House press briefing, becoming the first Black woman to do so since 1991.

1993: Graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School

In 1993, Karine Jean-Pierre graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School.

1997: Earned Bachelor's Degree

In 1997, Karine Jean-Pierre earned a bachelor's degree from the New York Institute of Technology.

2001: Attended Ester Fuchs' Class

During the Fall 2001 semester, Karine Jean-Pierre attended a class with Ester Fuchs at Columbia University, who became one of her mentors.

2003: Earned Master of Public Affairs

In 2003, Karine Jean-Pierre earned a Master of Public Affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

2004: Southeast Regional Political Director for John Edwards

In 2004, Karine Jean-Pierre was the southeast regional political director for John Edwards' presidential campaign.

2006: Outreach Coordinator for Walmart Watch

In 2006, Karine Jean-Pierre was hired as the outreach coordinator for Walmart Watch in Washington, D.C.

2008: Obama Campaign Political Director

In 2008, Karine Jean-Pierre was the campaign's southeast regional political director for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

2011: National Deputy Battleground States Director

In 2011, Karine Jean-Pierre served as National Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.

2012: Re-election Campaign

In 2012, Karine Jean-Pierre served as National Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama's re-election campaign.

2014: Joined Columbia University Faculty

In 2014, Karine Jean-Pierre joined the Columbia University faculty as a lecturer in international and public affairs.

April 2016: Senior Advisor and National Spokesperson for MoveOn

In April 2016, MoveOn named Jean-Pierre as a senior advisor and national spokesperson for the 2016 presidential election.

2016: Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O'Malley

In 2016, Karine Jean-Pierre served as the deputy campaign manager for Martin O'Malley's 2016 presidential campaign.

December 2018: Haitian Newsmaker of the Year

In December 2018, The Haitian Times named Jean-Pierre one of six "Haitian Newsmakers of the Year".

January 2019: Political Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC

In January 2019, Jean-Pierre became a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC.

2019: Published "Moving Forward"

In 2019, Jean-Pierre's book, Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America, was published.

May 2020: Senior Advisor to Joe Biden's Campaign

In May 2020, Jean-Pierre joined the Biden team as a senior advisor to Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, motivated by a desire to shape the future for her daughter.

November 29, 2020: Principal Deputy Press Secretary

On November 29, 2020, it was announced that Jean-Pierre had been made Principal Deputy Press Secretary.

2020: Chief of Staff for Kamala Harris

In 2020, Karine Jean-Pierre served as the chief of staff for U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign.

2020: Senior Advisor and National Spokeswoman for MoveOn.org

Prior to working with Kamala Harris during the 2020 election, Jean-Pierre was the senior advisor and national spokeswoman for the progressive advocacy group MoveOn.org. in 2020

May 26, 2021: First White House Press Briefing

On May 26, 2021, Karine Jean-Pierre gave her first White House press briefing, becoming the first openly LGBTQ person to do so and the first Black woman to do so since 1991.

2021: Great Immigrants Award

In 2021, Jean-Pierre was named by Carnegie Corporation of New York as an honoree of the Great Immigrants Award.

2021: Appointed Deputy Press Secretary

In 2021, Karine Jean-Pierre became the Deputy Press Secretary to Jen Psaki.

May 5, 2022: Announcement as White House Press Secretary Successor

On May 5, 2022, it was announced that Karine Jean-Pierre would succeed Jen Psaki as White House Press Secretary on May 13.

May 2022: Appointed White House Press Secretary

In May 2022, Karine Jean-Pierre became the White House Press Secretary, marking a historic moment as the first Black person and openly LGBTQ+ individual to hold the position.

2022: Hatch Act Violation

In 2022, Karine Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act in briefings before the midterm election.

June 2023: Office of Special Counsel Warning

In June 2023, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) warned Jean-Pierre for violating the Hatch Act in briefings before the 2022 midterm election.

September 2023: End of Relationship with Suzanne Malveaux

In September 2023, Jean-Pierre ended her relationship with former CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.

October 2023: Second Warning from Office of Special Counsel

In October 2023, the OSC issued Jean-Pierre another warning for using the term "MAGA" again shortly after their original warning.

December 2023: Turned Down EMILY's List Offer

In December 2023, Jean-Pierre turned down an offer to become president of abortion advocacy group EMILY's List.

2023: Tensions with John Kirby

Beginning in early 2023, tensions grew between Jean-Pierre and John Kirby, with the topic being racially fraught due to the perception of Kirby, who is white, upstaging Jean-Pierre.