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

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

"Karine not only brings the experience, expertise and integrity wanted for this tough job, but she will proceed to prepared the ground in speaking concerning the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people," Biden stated in a statement, including 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 last day, which will be Might 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her role for one at MSNBC.

Last Might, Jean-Pierre became the second Black lady in history to hold the day by day press briefing. She has served on the White House's senior communications team since Biden took office and earlier than that was an adviser to his marketing campaign and chief of workers to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

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

"I am nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen mentioned, at the top this is a historic second and it's not misplaced on me. I perceive how important it is for thus many individuals out there. So many alternative communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre said.

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

Jean-Pierre additionally took a moment to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a fantastic colleague, a friend, a mentor, during this previous yr and a half and I don't suppose I would be here without so many people, however together with her and he or she is just only a true strong, wonderful person," Jean-Pierre mentioned.

Jean-Pierre is acquainted with her new position. She is often in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has filled in for her for at the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Force One. Recently, she changed Psaki at the last minute for Biden's four-day trip to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined positive 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. Several names had been under consideration to interchange her, including 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.

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

"I just wish to take the chance to have fun and congratulate my buddy, my colleague, my accomplice in fact, Karine Jean-Pierre, the following White House press secretary," Psaki informed reporters at the White House.

She added: "She will be the first black woman, the primary out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve in this position, which is superb because representation matters and she or he goes to, she's going to give a voice to so many and permit and present so many what is truly possible if you work laborious, and dream large and that matters, and ... we should always have fun that."

Psaki additionally elaborated on Jean-Pierre's career up, describing her as a "exceptional" particular person with "many years of experience."

"I simply cannot wait to see her shine at the podium. So congratulations, and I am unable to wait to see you convey your own model, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki mentioned.

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup within the press office comes as the White Home is making a number of other personnel strikes in preparation for a potential Republican takeover on Capitol Hill within the midterm elections. One among Biden's closest advisers, Anita Dunn, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his staff additionally shores up the White House 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, people accustomed to the matter tell CNN. She is going to no longer be a partner in the agency or listed on the corporate's web site, folks accustomed to the matter say.

Whereas Dunn now not owns a piece of the firm, after it was sold in 2015, her function as a prime strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and plenty of other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK vital prominence in Washington and beyond. During the presidential campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a depart of absence from the firm. But given the new function at the White House, folks familiar with the matter say, she is severing ties with the agency.

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