Karine Jean-Pierre will become the new White House press secretary when Jen Psaki leaves her post next week, President Joe Biden announced in a statement Thursday. Jean-Pierre will become the first black and LGBTQ person to hold the position.
Jean-Pierre currently serves as the White House’s top deputy press secretary.
“Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity necessary to this difficult work, but she will continue to lead communication on the work of the Biden-Harris administration on behalf of the American people,” Biden said in a statement, adding that “Jen Psaki set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Meeting Room.”
Jean-Pierre will formally begin after the last day of Psaki, which will be May 13th. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning to step down for one at MSNBC.
Last May, Jean-Pierre became the second black woman in history to hold the daily press conference. She has served on the White House’s senior communications team since Biden took office and before that was his campaign adviser and chief of staff to now Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jean-Pierre’s family includes his partner, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.
Jean-Pierre is familiar with her new role. She is often in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has deputized for her at the pulpit, and has also joked with reporters traveling with Biden in Air Force One.
She recently replaced Psaki at the last minute for Biden’s four-day trip to Europe amid the Russian invasion, after Psaki tested positive for Covid-19 the day before Biden’s departure.
Psaki’s departure is not surprising, as she had publicly disclosed her plan to leave after a year in office.
Several names were being considered to replace her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has become a visible face of the government in briefings and on cable television since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
Psaki on Twitter said she was “grateful” to Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and described Jean-Pierre as an “admirable woman”.
“Representation matters and it will give a voice to many, and it will also make many dream big about what is truly possible,” Psaki wrote.
Psaki added, “I can’t wait to see her shine as she brings her own style, sparkle and grace to the podium.”
The staffing change at the press office comes as the White House is making several other staffing moves in preparation for a possible Republican takeover of 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 her team also supports the White House attorney’s office, as Republicans have vowed to launch a series of investigations if a majority resumes.
Source: CNN Brasil
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