In an unexpected turn of events during the Super Bowl, an important phone call from the White House announced the promotion of John Kirby to a bigger role in the White House briefing room. Speculations arose, assuming it could be a butt dial from someone watching the game. However, the purpose of the call was to ensure that this promotion is not a demotion for the current press secretary, Kareem Jean-Pierre.
The promotion of John Kirby signifies an expansion of his portfolio within the White House. While Kirby was already present in important communications decision-making processes, he will now have a fancier title, additional staff, and more support. This move does not, in any way, diminish the valuable work that Kareem Jean-Pierre is doing as the press secretary.
When it comes to who will be at the podium, it appears that it will be a timeshare arrangement between Kirby and Jean-Pierre. This arrangement has been in place for several months, with Jean-Pierre being joined by Kirby as a guest during most briefings. Kirby's presence is primarily to provide insights into the functioning of the foreign policy apparatus.
While Kirby generally answers questions more thoroughly, there was an incident where he made a major mistake or potentially provided too much transparency. He initially mentioned that the Iraqis had been informed before the removal of a Khatib Hezbollah leader, but later corrected himself, saying he had it wrong. It remains unclear whether this was an individual error or a problem with the messaging. Surprisingly, this mistake did not have any apparent ramifications, as Kirby received the promotion shortly after.
The circumstances surrounding the news of Kirby's promotion, and the manner in which it was learned, may raise curiosity about the frequency of butt dials from the White House. However, no comments were provided on this matter.
Overall, the promotion of John Kirby indicates an enhanced role within the White House briefing room and a continued partnership with press secretary Kareem Jean-Pierre. Both individuals will contribute to the press briefings, with Kirby bringing his expertise in foreign policy, while Jean-Pierre continues her valuable work.
