Karine Jean-Pierre will be the first Black and out LGBTQ person to serve as White House press secretary.
President Joe Biden revealed Thursday that Karine Jean-Pierre will take over as White House press secretary when Jen Psaki leaves next week, making her the first Black and out LGBTQ person to fill the post.
Jean-Pierre is the White House's principal deputy press secretary at the moment.
"Karine not only brings the experience, talent, and integrity required for this difficult job, but she will also continue to lead the way in communicating about the Biden-Harris Administration's work on behalf of the American people," Biden said in a statement, adding that "Jen Psaki has set the standard for restoring decency, respect, and decorum to the White House Briefing Room."
Following Psaki's last day on May 13, Jean-Pierre will formally commence. In April, CNN claimed that Psaki planned to leave her job at CNN for one at MSNBC.
Jean-Pierre became only the second Black woman in history to hold the daily press briefing in May of last year. She was an adviser to Biden's campaign and chief of staff to now-Vice President Kamala Harris before joining the White House's senior communications team after he took office.
Suzanne Malveaux, a CNN national correspondent, and her daughter are part of Jean-family. Pierre's
Jean-Pierre seems comfortable in her new position. She's frequently in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has stood in for her at the podium, and has joked with reporters accompanying Biden on Air Force One. She recently filled in for Psaki during Biden's four-day tour to Europe during the Russian invasion, after Psaki tested positive for Covid-19 the day before Biden was to leave.
Psaki's departure is unsurprising, considering that she had made her intention to quit after a year on the job public. Several candidates were considered for her replacement, including Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby, who has become a visible face of the administration in briefings and on cable television since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Psaki expressed her gratitude to Biden and first wife Jill Biden on Twitter, calling Jean-Pierre a "wonderful woman."
Psaki added, "Representation counts, and she will not only provide a voice to many, but also inspire many to dream large about what is genuinely achievable."
"I can't wait to see her shine as she brings her own brand of brilliance and grace to the podium," Psaki said.
The press office reorganization comes as the White House makes several other personnel changes in anticipation of a possible Republican control of Congress in the midterm elections. Anita Dunn, one of Biden's closest aides, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his team strengthens the White House counsel's office, given that Republicans have threatened to begin a series of probes if they reclaim the House.