Karine Jean-Pierre to grow to be White House press secretary, the first Black and out LGBTQ particular person within the role

Jean-Pierre at present serves as the White Home's principal deputy press secretary.

"Karine not only brings the expertise, expertise and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she's going to proceed to lead the way in communicating in regards to the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American individuals," Biden mentioned in an announcement, including that "Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White Home Briefing Room."

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

Final May, Jean-Pierre turned the second Black girl in history to hold the daily press briefing. She has served on the White House's senior communications crew since Biden took workplace and earlier than that was an adviser to his campaign and chief of workers to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre's household consists of her partner, CNN nationwide correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm still processing it because, as Jen stated, at the prime it is a historic moment and it's not misplaced on me. I perceive how vital it is for therefore many individuals out there. 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 also took a moment to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a wonderful colleague, a pal, a mentor, throughout this previous 12 months and a half and I don't think I would be right here with out so many people, however including her and she or he is simply just a true stable, superb individual," Jean-Pierre stated.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new role. She is often in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has crammed in for her for on the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Power One. Recently, she changed Psaki on the final minute for Biden's four-day trip to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined constructive for Covid-19 the day earlier than Biden was scheduled to depart.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to go away after one 12 months on the job. A number of names had been into consideration to interchange her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has change into a visual face of the administration in briefings and on cable television since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

At the White House briefing Thursday, a visibly moved Psaki invited Jean-Pierre as much as the podium together with her and the 2 ladies embraced as Psaki went by way of Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just want to take the chance to have fun and congratulate my buddy, my colleague, my partner in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House press secretary," Psaki advised reporters on the White Home.

She added: "She would be the first black girl, the primary out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve on this function, which is superb because representation matters and she or he is going to, she is going to give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is really attainable if you work laborious, and dream massive and that matters, and ... we must always have a good time that."

Psaki also elaborated on Jean-Pierre's profession up, describing her as a "exceptional" individual with "decades of experience."

"I simply can't wait to see her shine on the podium. So congratulations, and I am unable to wait to see you convey your personal style, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki said.

Shut Biden adviser returns to White Home

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

Dunn is completely leaving her consulting agency, SKDK, individuals conversant in the matter inform CNN. She will no longer be a partner within the firm or listed on the corporate's web site, folks acquainted with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn now not owns a piece of the agency, after it was sold in 2015, her position as a top strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and lots of different elected Democratic officials has given SKDK important prominence in Washington and beyond. Throughout the presidential campaign and the primary a number of months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a leave of absence from the agency. But given the brand new function at the White Home, individuals conversant in the matter say, she is severing ties with the firm.

An official says Dunn will now be a full-time employees member, and -- as with every other full-time workers member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be subject to all White Home ethics and conflict of interest rules, together with "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.