Democrats are furious with former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s decision to publicly leave the party and announce she’s a political independent while promoting a book.

Jean-Pierre served as former President Biden’s voice to the media for more than two and a half years, and her decision to split from the party at a time when it is particularly troubled has been more than irksome to Democrats.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz defended President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” over criticism that millions of people could lose health coverage, saying those who would face new work requirements should “prove that they matter.”

Oz made the comments during an interview Wednesday on Fox Business, arguing that when Medicaid was created in the 1960s lawmakers did not include work requirements because it “never dawned on anybody that able-bodied people who work would be on Medicaid.”

“We’re asking that able-bodied individuals who are able to go back to work at least try to get a job or at least volunteer or take care of loved-one who needs help or go back to school,” he said. “Do something that shows you have agency over your future.”

If Americans are willing to do that, he added, they should be able to be enrolled or stay enrolled in Medicaid.

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