Jen Psaki describes how she hates being called ‘nice’ in Vogue interview

White House press secretary Jen Psaki described how her media briefings can become like ‘wrestling alligators’ in a glowing profile with Vogue magazine, where she revealed how long she’ll stay on the job and why she doesn’t like to be called nice.

Photographed by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, the 3,500-word article is featured in the September issue of the magazine, a month after Jill Biden graced the cover. The first lady was also the subject of a fawning profile from the Anna Wintour-helmed fashion bible, where she was described as a ‘joy multiplier’ and a ‘goddess.’

Psaki, 42, said that President Joe Biden emphasized with her the importance of ‘tone’ when she took the job as most public face of his administration. 

‘The first thing he said to me was ‘We need to be aligned on tone,’ or, really, he needs me to be aligned with him,’ she told Vogue. ‘He said, ‘We are healing a country whose nerves have been frayed. It’s just a little bit frantic. We need to be projecting calm, openness to engagement, governing for all people.’ 

But, she adds: ‘It doesn’t mean you don’t have moments where you are tough or firm or make clear to people when they’ve crossed a line. He does that, too.’ 

Press secretary Jen Psaki in her office at the White House; photographed by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, the 3,500-word profile of Psaki is featured in the September issue of the fashion magazine

The Biden administration came into office as the country struggled to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. 

Early press briefings focused on that work but Psaki often deals with a range of topics in back-and-forths with the media, getting queries on everything from the economy, foreign policy and when the president is going to get a cat. 

She comes prepared with a binder of color-coded tabs, organized by topic, to help her with talking points as she calls on members of the White House press corps. 

She describes unplanned moments from her briefing that go viral – such as some of her quips on former President Donald Trump –  ‘wrestling with alligators.’ 

Psaki noted the administration thinks it can make inroads not by ‘wrestling with alligators – or former alligators, or the people around them – but by delivering results.’ She goes on, ‘That’s what we’re betting on. We’ll see if we’re right.’ 

Being a fashion magazine, the Vogue profile also notes Psaki prefers ‘bright colors, chunky necklaces’ for her press briefings. She does her own hair and makeup before going on camera. And she won’t changer her straight red bob because ‘I couldn’t operate a curling iron to save my life,’ she said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki describes unplanned moments from her briefing that go viral – such as some of her quips on former President Donald Trump – ‘wrestling with alligators’

Jen Psaki in the Oval Office with President Biden and other administration staff

Psaki, who served as State Department spokesperson in the Obama administration and as communications director for the former president, told Vogue she hates being described as ‘nice.’  

‘It is like nails on a chalkboard,’ she said. ‘And it still happens. I was introduced to a foreign delegation in the hallway the other day as ‘This is Jen. You may have seen her do the briefings. She’s a really nice person.’ I’m like, really? You can’t think of a better description?’

She called the word ‘sexist and a little diminishing,’ adding ‘it’s also this desire to put people in a box. Yes, sometimes I’m friendly and joyful, and sometimes I’m tough, and sometimes I’m straightforward.’

Psaki’s Obama White House colleague David Axelrod called her the best press secretary in his lifetime. 

‘She’s unflappable,’ he told Vogue. ‘It’s very easy under the glare of those lights and the intense questioning to buckle or to become ornery. She never does. As Biden would say, she has a steel rod for a spine.’  

A native of Connecticut, Psaki cut her teeth on Democratic politics in Iowa, working for Democrats Tom Harkin and Ton Vilsack. She also worked for John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign and Obama’s 2008 campaign.  

She had been mentioned as a contender for the press secretary job in the Obama White House but lost out twice – to Jay Carney and Josh Earnest. 

She didn’t work for Biden’s presidential campaign but became spokesperson for his transition team after his victory, leading to him naming her White House press secretary. 

Psaki’s briefings have become known for her quick quips with certain reporters, like Fox News’ Peter Doocy. When she spars verbally with him the hashtag #psakibomb often trends on Twitter. 

Jen Psaki served as State Department spokesperson during the Obama administration – above she’s seen with then Secretary of State John Kerry after an April trip to South Korea

Jen Psaki, center, with Obama officials, during a White House Rose Garden event during President Obama’s administration in November 2006

From the start, Psaki said she plans to stay on as White House press secretary for around a year. 

But she told Vogue magazine: ‘I’m not walking out the door on day 365.’ 

She, however, points to her family as a reason she doesn’t want to stay on too long. The White House schedule can be grueling and it’s hard to be unplugged from the job. 

Psaki met her husband, Gregory Mecher, now a Democratic political aide, when she worked for the House Democrats’ campaign arm. The couple has two young children. 

She points to her two young children as a reason not to linger: ‘One. All these guys get bigger, and you don’t want to miss things. Two, I’ve done it before. Not this job but versions of it. And three, you’ve met members of my team. These are really incredible people.’

She added: ‘And also I love my husband, and he’s amazing, and I still want him to be married to me when I leave this place.’