Overview:

In her new book, “Independent,” Karine Jean-Pierre slams establishment politicians as she spills about the last months of Biden’s administration, a period and subsequent loss that led to her leaving the Democratic Party.

NEW YORK—In the midst of the 2020 presidential election, a significant number of Haitian American voters said they would not cast a ballot for either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. Their reasons varied, but one was consistent across age groups in the community.

“The Democrats take us for granted too much,” many said in interviews.

Even among those who planned to vote for Harris, the frustration with the Democratic Party was palpable, especially when Trump targeted Haitians in Springfield.

“Democrats are too nice,” frustrated supporters often lamented. “They’re playing politics like we’re in the ‘90s.”

Apparently, Karine Jean-Pierre was feeling the same frustrations, even more intensely so from her position as then-President Joe Biden’s White House press secretary. 

In her latest book, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,” Jean-Pierre details in a direct, unleashed approach why she feels betrayed by the Democratic Party. So much so that she has officially left it. 

In the memoir released Oct. 21, Jean-Pierre reveals the background behind certain backstabbing maneuvers that played out publicly, such as Biden being pushed to end his reelection bid. She also reveals behind-the-scenes efforts in Washington intended to harm both Biden—whom she remains fiercely loyal to and grateful for—and herself. Jean-Pierre reveals how she navigated a high-octane workplace where she felt the standards were different for her as a “first” — scenarios that many Black women, a key audience for this book, may find all too familiar.

Karine Jean-Pierre (right) released her new memoir, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside Party Lines,” on October 21, 2025. Photo by Jen Rosenstein. Cover image and photo courtesy of Legacy Lit

Jean-Pierre takes to task key sectors and features of our society for Trump’s reelection and subsequent actions, currently hurting vulnerable groups. Her account reflects much of the disillusionment the Democratic base felt, particularly the sisterhood of Black women who stayed most loyal, as they watched the political parties, media and spin culture fail them. One recurring critique is the Democrats’ adherence to respectability norms even as MAGA Republicans drowned out their voices to win over the electorate.

One area where the book shines most is its relatability in tone and language, the place where the Shirley Chisholm “unbought and unbossed” energy is unmistakable. It’s authoritative and reads like a frank conversation between friends, often evoking “tcheeuppss” when exasperated with certain scenarios she describes, “uh huhs” of agreement and full-chested chuckles. Jean-Pierre goes into no-nonsense Haitian auntie mode when she uses evocative phrases – such as “Trump was vomiting at the mouth” – that tap into the built-in imagery so common in Haitian speech, yet rarely seen in non-fiction volumes like this.

Fortunately, Jean-Pierre keeps the book from being a rant by urging ordinary people to re-evaluate how they engage with politics going forward. Her prompt for a shift in perspective is less about registering with a party and more about independent thinking. That sounds like good advice for our algorithm-driven society that can be applied not just in national elections, but at the local and municipal levels too. As such, it offers thoughtful guidance on ways the public can push for a more inclusive country and is peppered with resources for those curious about being an unaffiliated voter.

One aspect of the book that niggled me is a sense that Jean-Pierre sounds too much like an outsider at times. It’s as though she had little pull in how Biden engaged with the public, outside the White House, even though she held the title of senior advisor. 

In explaining Biden’s atrocious debate performance, for example, Jean-Pierre comes off as protective of him, but not persuasive. When she says the face-off was scheduled too early in the election cycle, we wonder if her advisory role allowed her to object or why not. Without Jean-Pierre saying either way if that was in her purview or not, or whose job it was, a question from that night arises: “Why did you all let him go through with it?” 

Other times, Jean-Pierre explains that the law prohibits campaigning activities from the White House lectern. But, she doesn’t delve into the division of labor between the White House’s communications apparatus, the political parties and the President’s campaign offices to help us outsiders get a clearer picture. She blatantly blames the Democratic Party for failing to connect with ordinary people through podcasts, TikTok and other high-impression channels. But, again, by not saying why the White House team didn’t pursue those channels to tout his successes as president, she missed an opportunity to reveal more about the systems that govern our government. 

Still, “Independent” stands as an incisive read that gives a view of political power dynamics from a voice who continues to carry the mantle of representation throughout her journey in American politics. It’s a solid starting point for anyone looking for ways to secure the type of representation all Americans deserve. And for those Haitian American Democrats still feeling unseen and untethered, “Independent” elaborates on a message Jean-Pierre shared with The Haitian Times earlier this year.

“Don’t give up. Don’t roll over,” she said at the time. “You don’t have to run for office to have a voice, [but] you have to care about something that moves you, that is actually helpful and makes a difference in making lives better.’

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