In June 2019, Karine Jean-Pierre was moderating a forum for presidential candidates when a protester rushed the stage. It’s a famous video: Finding herself seated between the oncoming protester and then senator Kamala Harris, Jean-Pierre leapt to her feet, raised a hand, and turned her body to face him—a five-foot-two one-woman blockade to the future vice president of the United States. On Morning Joe later that week, cohost Willie Geist marveled at her courage: “I know who I want moderating my next panel.”
At the time, Jean-Pierre, who had worked in the Obama administration, was the chief public affairs officer for MoveOn.org and a political pundit. Her next moves would be swift: In 2020 she joined the Biden campaign as a senior adviser and later became Harris’s chief of staff. About a year and a half into the Biden presidency, she was introduced as the White House press secretary—the first Black person and first openly gay person to hold the position.
Jean-Pierre is a realist. For all the history she’s made in her career, she expects she will best be remembered for her fracas with the protester that went viral. “It ’s going to be on my tombstone,” she says, with cheery resignation. The day after the onstage clash, Harris called Jean-Pierre to see how she was holding up. “How I was doing!” Jean-Pierre remembers. “I said, ‘Please get security.’ She was like, ‘I’m calling to check in on you!’” But Jean-Pierre repeated herself. Get security.
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Free Reign
Boho chic, the liberated and unfettered style statement of the aughts, is back with a floaty, festival-ready vengeance.
No Filler
The sandwich” facial migrates to other parts of the body.
Now and Forever
From corsetry and embroidery to the fineness of tailoring, this season's most beguiling silhouettes offer a palpable sense of history and craft. Liya Kebede and her children connect the dots between past, present, and future.
DOUBLE ACT
Married artists Sam Moyer and Eddie Martinez have built their lives and careers on parallel tracks. Now, with simultaneous shows at the same museum, they are converging.
A WATERY STAGE
The Paris Games will kick off, in spectacular fashion, with a procession on the Seine. Gaby Wood meets the creative director orchestrating it all.
Madame Paris
Mayor Anne Hidalgo has long been a leader under scrutiny. And now she and her glorious city will be center stage for the Olympics.
THE OTHER SIDE
Sophie Turner talks about the harsh glare of attention following her breakup and how she has emerged stronger, happier, and healthier than ever.
Forza!
Tennis has a new force: the 22-year-old Italian ski racer turned court champion Jannik Sinner nickname: The Fox). Abby Aguirre meets him in the midst of an electrifying winning streak.
Everything Under the Sun
To Kendall Jenner, mental health means many things: rest, reflection, riding, reading—and being open. She talks to Rob Haskell about a decade in modeling. Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.
The Longest Journey
In 2022 a stroke brought Hamish Bowless teeming life to a crashing halt. After months spent in the hospital and a year back at home, he reflects on just how far hes come.