Jen Psaki fights back tears as she gives final White House press briefing and gets heckled by reporter

"I want to thank all of you in this room. You have challenged me, you have pushed me, you have debated me, and at times we have disagreed. That is democracy in action.

"Without accountability, without debate, government is not as strong, and you all play an incredibly pivotal role. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for making me better, and most importantly, thank you for the work every day you do to make this country stronger," the outgoing press secretary added.

However, as Psaki concluded her speech Today News Africa's Simon Ateba began shouting at the outgoing political advisor, demanding she takes his questions immediately after calling on a reporter in the front.

"Jen, I have a suggestion, why don't you take questions from across the room because that's not what you've been able to do for the past 15 months," Ateba shouted.

"Can I ask you a question from the back? Jen, can I ask you a question, I don't understand you haven't done it for 15 months," Ateba yelled out after Psaki called on another reporter seated close by.

At one point, a woman in the briefing room is overheard yelling at Ateba to stop, shouting, "Simon, please stop. Simon, show some respect."

An annoyed Psaki finally snapped back at the unruly reporter, asking him to respect his colleagues.

"Simon, if you can respect your colleagues and other media reporters here that would be greatly appreciated," Psaki said.

Succeeding Psaki is Karine Jean-Pierre, the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to be White House press secretary.

She takes over as the Biden administration is navigating inflation,  war with , and as the  is bracing for November election losses that could erase its control of .