Karine Jean-Pierre, the former White House press secretary and a prominent figure in Democratic politics, is formally cutting ties with the Democratic Party and registering as an independent, according to a press release tied to the announcement of her new book.

Hachette, the book’s publisher, noted that Jean-Pierre “didn’t come to her decision to be an Independent lightly.” The forthcoming title, Independent: A look inside a broken White House, outside the party lines, aims to encourage Americans to look beyond political affiliations and consider an independent path forward. It is scheduled for release in October.

Jean-Pierre’s departure from the Democratic fold comes at a moment of upheaval for the party, following its loss of the White House and both chambers of Congress in the November elections. Recent publications, such as the book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson analyzing Biden’s 2024 campaign, have intensified scrutiny of the party’s direction and questioned the wisdom behind Biden’s re-election bid given ongoing concerns about his health and age.

The promotional copy for Jean-Pierre’s book criticizes internal Democratic decisions made during the summer of 2024, referencing what it calls “the betrayal by the Democratic Party that led to” President Biden stepping out of the race.

“Until January 20, I was responsible for speaking on behalf of the President of the United States,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement through Legacy Lit, a Hachette imprint. “At noon on that day, I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was to come next for our country. I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes.”

Neither the Democratic National Committee nor representatives for Biden’s personal office offered any comment when asked about Jean-Pierre’s departure.

Jean-Pierre was appointed press secretary in 2022 following the departure of Jen Psaki, who left to take a role at MSNBC. Jean-Pierre held the post through the end of Biden’s presidency. She made history as the first Black woman and the first openly gay person to serve as White House press secretary.

Her political resume also includes serving as chief of staff to then-vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris and working on Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns. Her ties to the Democratic establishment had once seemed unshakeable.

In a video posted to Instagram, Jean-Pierre explained that she was choosing to “follow my own compass,” urging Americans to reject partisanship and resist being confined by labels.

Though her book carries a subtitle that refers to “a broken White House,” Jean-Pierre had consistently defended the administration from the podium, fending off criticism and highlighting what she described as the successes of the Biden presidency.

“He’s had a historic presidency,” she told reporters in one of her final briefings. “He’s done more in one term than most presidents have been able to do in two terms.”