Jen Psaki

Jen Psaki is an American political advisor and television host who served as the 34th White House Press Secretary under President Joe Biden. A veteran of the Obama administration, she previously held roles including White House Communications Director and spokesperson for the United States Department of State. Psaki transitioned to a career in media following her government service, becoming a host on MSNBC and contributing to NBC News programming.

Early life and education

Jen Psaki was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and raised in nearby Greenwich, Connecticut. Her mother, Eileen Psaki, was a public school administrator, and her father, James Psaki, worked in real estate development. She attended Greenwich High School, where she was an active participant in student government and debate. Psaki pursued higher education at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. During her time at College of William & Mary, she was involved with the university’s chapter of the Young Democrats of America and interned for Virginia Congressman Jim Moran.

Early career

After graduation, Psaki began her political career working on Jimmy Carter's 2000 presidential campaign in Iowa. She subsequently served as a press aide for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2002 election cycle. Psaki joined the John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign, working as a traveling press secretary. Following the election, she worked as a consultant for the Glover Park Group, a strategic communications firm in Washington, D.C.. In 2007, she returned to presidential politics as the deputy press secretary for the Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign, a role that led to her first position in the Obama administration.

White House Press Secretary

Jen Psaki was appointed White House Press Secretary by President Joe Biden and began her tenure on January 20, 2021. Her daily press briefings, held in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, were noted for a substantive and direct style, contrasting with the contentious atmosphere of the preceding Trump administration. Key topics during her tenure included the administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan, and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Psaki announced her departure in May 2022 to pursue a role in the private sector, and she was succeeded by her principal deputy, Karine Jean-Pierre.

MSNBC career

Following her departure from the Biden administration, Psaki joined MSNBC as a network contributor in May 2022. In February 2023, she launched her own Sunday morning program, *Inside with Jen Psaki*, on the network. The show features interviews with prominent political figures and in-depth analysis of current events, competing in the same timeslot as programs like State of the Union (TV series) on CNN and Fox News Sunday. Her role at MSNBC also includes regular appearances on other network programming such as Morning Joe and providing commentary for major political events covered by NBC News.

Personal life

Jen Psaki is married to Gregory Mecher, a former Democratic congressional aide. The couple has two children and resides in Washington, D.C.. She has been open about the challenges of balancing a high-profile career in the White House with family life. In her memoir, *Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World*, published in 2024, she reflects on her experiences in the Obama administration and the Biden administration, as well as her perspectives on political communication and media.

Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:White House Press Secretaries Category:American television personalities Category:MSNBC people