Jen Psaki may have more than a few months left before she calls it a day and exits the
Biden administration as White House spokesperson, but that hasn't stopped the Twitterverse from
speculating over, and being saddened by, the thought of her departure.
But as she has continually done since she took the post, Psaki didn't leave room for
rumor and speculation to take root; instead she took the bull by the horns and told CNN's
Don Lemon the reason why she had always known that her time in the White House would be
limited.
The White House spokesperson said,
"This was something I told colleagues and friends, and in my discussions with the amazing
people in the Biden orbit, was part of the discussion early on.
I'm so honored to serve this president, and at this moment in history to be a small part
of rebuilding trust in government, but I also have two little kids who are preschoolers,
and I know a lot of moms who watch your show who understand that.
I don't want to miss a lot of moments."
Psaki's reason should come as no surprise, because the writing has been on the wall if
we only took the time to look.
On Twitter, Psaki describes herself as,
"WH Press Sec.
Working mom of 2 small humans.
Spends most days communicating about @POTUS' agenda & rebuilding trust with the American
people."
Even if she didn't have a more pressing job lined up — that of a mom — Psaki made
it clear that she had always known that the role of White House press secretary had a
relatively short shelf life.
She said,
"I've also had the honor of serving not just this president, but a president in the past.
I think at a certain point it's time to have other people serve in these jobs and roles,
and have this front seat to history.
And I'm hopeful that part of what I can do in this job is help build that up and help
give people opportunity, and lift up some new voices and faces."
Even if we know Psaki has a great reason for stepping aside, it doesn't stop those of us
who are her fans from wishing that things don't have to be this way.
As one Twitter user put it:
"The crush is real.
I'm not ready."
But if there is anyone who knows when the right time to exit might be, it's Psaki.
She has previously served the White House twice before, as communications director under
former President Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017, and before that as deputy White House
communications director from 2009 to 2011.
In between, she worked for John Kerry as State Department spokesperson from 2013 to 2015.
She got her start in national politics while working as Obama's traveling press secretary
when he was campaigning in both 2008 and 2012.
Psaki's father is a retired real estate developer, and her mother is a psychotherapist.
Psaki was born and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, and was sent to the Greenwich Country Day
School — the late former President George H.W. Bush is among the famous alumni.
She graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2000, with a degree in English and
sociology.
While in university, she was a backstroke swimmer for the school's varsity team for
two years.
A few marked Psaki's impending departure by calling to mind some of her best moments during
the early days of the Biden administration, tweeting:
"Question: There's a growing perception that this is just the third term of President Obama.
What do you say to people who say that?
Psaki: Who's saying that?
Question: You've heard that a lot in the media Psaki: Who in the media?
Question: Different People."
As one fan put it:
"I would rather have had a root canal than hear Jen Psaki is leaving."
But there are those who aren't sad to see Jen Psaki go.
As one fan of former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany put it:
"Truth be known, Jen Psaki just didn't cut it as press secretary.
Too many uh's, circle backs, and blatant lies.
And the inevitable comparison to Kayleigh McEnany was the nail in the coffin.
Everyone saw it with their own eyes.
Jen isn't fit to carry Kayleigh's water."
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