Press Secretary Jen Psaki keeps a photo from the night before the 2016 election in her office
If there's one thing White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki seems to understand, it's that no congressional outcome, legislative result, or presidential legacy is guaranteed — but she has to do her job anyway.
Fittingly, Psaki keeps a photo from the night before the 2016 election in her office. Why? Because "it's a reminder of how things can change," she told Vogue. In the photo, Psaki is standing amongst a crowd of notable "smiling Democrats," like former President Barack Obama, then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, and Susan Rice.
"All of us were so happy," said Psaki. Those in the picture believed themselves on the brink of a Hillary Clinton administration. "We're like, 'It's going to be amazing,'" she added. Now, the "tragic" image instead emphasizes that "there are times where you have to be on the journey and recognize that sometimes you don't know what the end is going to be, right?," the press secretary explained. "Maybe it's going to be great. And maybe it's not." Read more at Vogue.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
The best dark romance books to gingerly embrace right nowThe Week Recommends Steamy romances with a dark twist are gaining popularity with readers
-
The ocean is getting more acidic — and harming sharks’ teethUnder the Radar ‘There is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth,’ a study’s author said
-
6 exquisite homes for skiersFeature Featuring a Scandinavian-style retreat in Southern California and a Utah abode with a designated ski room
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
-
Maduro pleads not guilty in first US court hearingSpeed Read Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty to cocaine trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracy
-
Iran’s government rocked by protestsSpeed Read The death toll from protests sparked by the collapse of Iran’s currency has reached at least 19
-
Israel approves new West Bank settlementsSpeed Read The ‘Israeli onslaught has all but vanquished a free Palestinian existence in the West Bank’
-
US offers Ukraine NATO-like security pact, with caveatsSpeed Read The Trump administration has offered Ukraine security guarantees similar to those it would receive from NATO
