Karine Jean-Pierre to turn into White Home press secretary, the first Black and out LGBTQ particular person in the position

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

"Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity wanted for this troublesome job, however she's going to proceed to prepared the ground in speaking about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American individuals," Biden mentioned in a statement, adding that "Jen Psaki has set the usual for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White Home Briefing Room."

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

Last May, Jean-Pierre turned the second Black lady in history to carry the day by day press briefing. She has served on the White Home's senior communications workforce since Biden took office 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 companion, CNN nationwide correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm nonetheless processing it because, as Jen stated, on the high this can be a historic moment and it isn't lost on me. I understand how important it is for so many individuals out there. So many various communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre mentioned.

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

Jean-Pierre additionally took a moment to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a great colleague, a buddy, a mentor, during this past 12 months and a half and I do not think I'd be here without so many individuals, but including her and she is just only a true strong, amazing person," Jean-Pierre stated.

Jean-Pierre is familiar with her new role. She is commonly in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has stuffed in for her for at the lectern and has also gaggled with reporters traveling with Biden on Air Force One. Just lately, she replaced Psaki at the final minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined constructive for Covid-19 the day before Biden was scheduled to leave.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to leave after one yr on the job. A number of names had been into account to replace her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has develop into a visible face of the administration in briefings and on cable tv since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

On the White House briefing Thursday, a visibly moved Psaki invited Jean-Pierre up to the rostrum along with her and the 2 women embraced as Psaki went through Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just wish to take the opportunity to rejoice and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my accomplice in reality, Karine Jean-Pierre, the subsequent White House press secretary," Psaki advised reporters at the White Home.

She added: "She will be the first black girl, the primary out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve on this position, which is superb because representation issues and she or he goes to, she will give a voice to so many and allow and present so many what is really doable while you work onerous, and dream huge and that matters, and ... we must always have fun that."

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

"I just can't wait to see her shine on the podium. So congratulations, and I can't wait to see you carry your individual style, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki stated.

Close Biden adviser returns to White Home

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

Dunn is completely leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, individuals accustomed to the matter inform CNN. She's going to no longer be a associate in the agency or listed on the company's web site, folks accustomed to the matter say.

Whereas Dunn not owns a chunk of the firm, after it was offered in 2015, her function as a prime strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and many different elected Democratic officers has given SKDK important prominence in Washington and past. In the course of the presidential campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a leave of absence from the firm. But given the new function at the White Home, folks familiar 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 all other full-time staff member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be subject to all White Home ethics and battle of curiosity rules, including "rigorous counseling" on her ethics obligations.

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

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