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.
Subscribe to 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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in 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 rise of 'vibe coding'
In The Spotlight Silicon Valley rush to embrace AI tools that allow anyone to code and create software
-
The jalapeño wine trend taking TikTok by storm
The Week Recommends Scatter a few chilli slices into your sauvignon blanc for a subtle and refreshing kick
-
Children's breakfast cereals are getting more unhealthy
Under the radar Start your day with a spoonful of sugar
-
Trump says Putin vowed retaliation for Kyiv strike
speed read The Russian president intends to respond to Ukraine's weekend drone strikes on Moscow's warplanes
-
Dutch government falls over immigration policy
speed read The government collapsed after anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders quit the right-wing coalition
-
South Korea elects liberal Lee as president
speed read Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, was elected president following months of political instability in the wake of Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment
-
Nationalist wins tight Polish presidential election
speed read Karol Nawrocki beat Rafal Trzaskowski in Poland's presidential runoff election
-
Ukraine hits Russia's bomber fleet in stealth drone attack
speed read The operation, which destroyed dozens of warplanes, is the 'biggest blow of the war against Moscow's long-range bomber fleet'
-
Starving Gazans overrun US-backed food aid hub
speed read Israeli troops fired warning shots at the Palestinians
-
Israel's Western allies pull back amid Gaza escalation
speed read Britain and the EU are reconsidering allegiance with Israel as the Gaza siege continues
-
Trump drops ceasefire demand after Putin call
speed read Following a phone call with Russia's president, Trump backed off an earlier demand that Putin agree to an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine