Karine Jean-Pierre to grow to be White Home press secretary, the primary Black and out LGBTQ particular person in the function

Jean-Pierre currently serves because the White House's principal deputy press secretary.

"Karine not solely brings the expertise, expertise and integrity needed for this troublesome job, however she is going to proceed to lead the way in communicating concerning the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks," Biden said in a statement, adding that "Jen Psaki has set the usual for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room."

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

Last Could, Jean-Pierre grew to become the second Black woman in historical past to carry 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 marketing campaign and chief of staff to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre's family contains her accomplice, CNN nationwide correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen stated, at the prime it is a historic second and it's not lost on me. I understand how vital it is for therefore many people on the market. So many alternative communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre stated.

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

Jean-Pierre additionally took a second to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a fantastic colleague, a good friend, a mentor, during this previous 12 months and a half and I don't think I would be right here with out so many individuals, but including her and she or he is just only a true stable, superb particular person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is familiar with her new function. She is commonly within the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has stuffed in for her for on the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Pressure One. Just lately, she replaced Psaki on the last minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki tested optimistic for Covid-19 the day earlier than Biden was scheduled to leave.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to leave after one 12 months on the job. Several names had been under consideration to replace her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has become a visual 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 up to the podium with her and the two women embraced as Psaki went by way of Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the importance of her taking the job.

"I simply wish to take the opportunity to rejoice and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my companion in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House press secretary," Psaki informed reporters at the White House.

She added: "She will be the first black girl, the primary out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve in this role, which is wonderful as a result of representation issues and she or he is going to, she's going to give a voice to so many and permit and present so many what is actually potential if you work laborious, and dream massive and that matters, and ... we should always have fun that."

Psaki additionally elaborated on Jean-Pierre's profession up, describing her as a "remarkable" individual with "many years of expertise."

"I simply can't wait to see her shine on the podium. So congratulations, and I can't wait to see you bring your own model, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki stated.

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup within the press office comes as the White House is making a number of different personnel strikes in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill within the midterm elections. Certainly one of Biden's closest advisers, Anita Dunn, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his group also 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 majority.

Dunn is permanently leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, people conversant in the matter inform CNN. She will no longer be a accomplice within the agency or listed on the corporate's website, individuals acquainted with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn no longer owns a chunk of the agency, after it was sold in 2015, her position as a prime strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and many other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK significant prominence in Washington and beyond. In the course of the presidential marketing campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a go away of absence from the firm. However given the new role on the White Home, folks acquainted with the matter say, she is severing ties with the agency.

An official says Dunn will now be a full-time staff member, and -- as with any other full-time employees member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be topic to all White House ethics and conflict of curiosity guidelines, including "rigorous counseling" on her ethics obligations.

This story has been updated with further developments on Thursday.

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