Karine Jean-Pierre to become White House press secretary, the primary Black and out LGBTQ particular person within the role

Jean-Pierre at the moment serves as the White House's principal deputy press secretary.

"Karine not solely brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, however she is going to continue to lead the way in speaking about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks," Biden stated in an announcement, adding that "Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White Home Briefing Room."

Jean-Pierre will formally start following Psaki's final day, which will be Might 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her function for one at MSNBC.

Final Could, Jean-Pierre became the second Black lady in history to carry the daily press briefing. She has served on the White Home's senior communications crew since Biden took workplace and before that was an adviser to his campaign and chief of employees to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre's household contains her partner, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm still processing it as a result of, as Jen said, at the prime this can be a historic moment and it is not lost on me. I understand how vital it's for thus many individuals on the market. So many various communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre mentioned.

She added: "It is an honor and a privilege to be behind this podium."

Jean-Pierre additionally took a second to thank Psaki.

"She has been just a great colleague, a buddy, a mentor, during this past year and a half and I don't assume I'd be right here with out so many individuals, but including her and she is simply just a true strong, superb individual," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is acquainted with her new position. She is often within the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has filled in for her for on the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Pressure One. Not too long ago, she changed Psaki on the final minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined constructive for Covid-19 the day earlier than Biden was scheduled to go away.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to depart after one 12 months on the job. A number of names had been under consideration to exchange her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has turn into a visible face of the administration in briefings and on cable tv since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

On the White Home briefing Thursday, a visibly moved Psaki invited Jean-Pierre as much as the podium along with her and the two women embraced as Psaki went via Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just wish to take the chance to rejoice and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my partner in reality, Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White Home press secretary," Psaki advised reporters on the White Home.

She added: "She will be the first black girl, the first out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve on this function, which is wonderful because representation matters and she goes to, she is going to give a voice to so many and permit and show so many what is actually doable while you work laborious, and dream massive and that matters, and ... we must always rejoice that."

Psaki additionally elaborated on Jean-Pierre's career up, describing her as a "outstanding" individual with "decades of expertise."

"I simply can't wait to see her shine at the podium. So congratulations, and I can not wait to see you bring your individual model, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki mentioned.

Shut Biden adviser returns to White Home

The staffing shakeup in the press office comes because the White Home is making several other personnel strikes in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill in the midterm elections. One in all Biden's closest advisers, Anita Dunn, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his workforce additionally shores up the White Home counsel's office, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations in the event that they retake the bulk.

Dunn is permanently leaving her consulting agency, SKDK, individuals aware of the matter inform CNN. She is going to now not be a partner within the firm or listed on the company's website, folks familiar with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn no longer owns a bit of the agency, after it was offered in 2015, her function as a top strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and plenty of other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK vital prominence in Washington and past. During the presidential marketing campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a go away of absence from the agency. However given the new function on the White House, folks accustomed to the matter say, she is severing ties with the firm.

An official says Dunn will now be a full-time staff member, and -- as with all other full-time staff member -- will signal the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be topic to all White Home ethics and battle of interest guidelines, including "rigorous counseling" on her ethics obligations.

This story has been up to date with additional developments on Thursday.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny and Sam Fossum contributed to this report.