Karine Jean-Pierre becomes the second Black woman to lead a White House press briefing

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre just made history. But she's not here to focus on that.

On Wednesday, Jean-Pierre became the first Black woman in 30 years (and only the second ever) to conduct a briefing behind the hallowed White House press podium, Politico reports. She's also the first openly gay spokeswoman to do so. When asked about her landmark appearance, Jean-Pierre replied, "I appreciate the historic nature ... but I believe that being behind this podium ... is not about one person. It's about what we do on behalf of the American people."

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Brigid Kennedy

Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.