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

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

"Karine not solely brings the experience, expertise and integrity needed for this troublesome job, however she will continue to lead the way in speaking about 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 usual for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room."

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

Final Could, Jean-Pierre turned the second Black woman in historical past to carry the every day press briefing. She has served on the White Home's senior communications crew since Biden took office and earlier than that was an adviser to his campaign and chief of employees to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

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

"I am nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen said, at the high this can be a historic moment and it isn't misplaced on me. I understand how important it is for so many people on the market. So many various 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 just a wonderful colleague, a buddy, a mentor, throughout this previous year and a half and I don't think I'd be here without so many individuals, but including her and she or he is just just a true solid, superb individual," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is conversant in her new position. She is commonly within the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has filled in for her for at the lectern and has also gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Pressure One. Lately, she replaced Psaki on the last minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki tested constructive 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 depart after one year on the job. Several names had been into consideration to replace her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has grow to be a visual face of the administration in briefings and on cable tv since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

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

"I simply need to take the chance to celebrate and congratulate my good friend, my colleague, my partner in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the subsequent White House press secretary," Psaki advised reporters at the White House.

She added: "She would be the first black girl, the primary out LGBTQ+ individual to serve on this function, which is wonderful because representation issues and he or she goes to, she is going to give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is truly potential when you work arduous, and dream big and that issues, and ... we should rejoice that."

Psaki also elaborated on Jean-Pierre's profession up, describing her as a "remarkable" person with "a long time of experience."

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

Close Biden adviser returns to White Home

The staffing shakeup in the press office comes because the White House is making a number of different personnel strikes in preparation for a potential Republican takeover on Capitol Hill in the midterm elections. Certainly one of Biden's closest advisers, Anita Dunn, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his workforce also 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 permanently leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, people aware of the matter inform CNN. She will not be a partner in the agency or listed on the corporate's web site, folks acquainted with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn not owns a piece of the agency, after it was offered in 2015, her role as a high strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and many different elected Democratic officers has given SKDK significant prominence in Washington and beyond. Throughout the presidential marketing campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a go away of absence from the agency. But given the brand new role on the White House, folks conversant in the matter say, she is severing ties with the agency.

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

This story has been updated with additional developments on Thursday.

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