Karine Jean-Pierre to change into White House press secretary, the first Black and out LGBTQ person in the function

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

"Karine not solely brings the experience, expertise and integrity wanted for this tough job, but she will proceed to prepared the ground in communicating in regards to the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks," Biden stated in a statement, including 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 might be May 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her function for one at MSNBC.

Last May, Jean-Pierre became the second Black girl in historical past to hold the each day press briefing. She has served on the White Home's senior communications team 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 includes her companion, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen stated, on the high it is a historic second and it's not misplaced on me. I perceive how vital it's for therefore many people on the market. So many different 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 also took a second to thank Psaki.

"She has been just a fantastic colleague, a good friend, a mentor, during this past year and a half and I don't suppose I'd be right here without so many people, but together with her and she is simply just a true strong, superb particular person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is familiar with her new position. She is often in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has crammed in for her for at the lectern and has also gaggled with reporters traveling with Biden on Air Force One. Lately, she 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 earlier than Biden was scheduled to go away.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to leave after one year on the job. A number of names had been into account to exchange her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has change into 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 as much as the rostrum with her and the 2 women embraced as Psaki went by way of Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just wish to take the opportunity to have a good time and congratulate my pal, my colleague, my accomplice in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the following White Home press secretary," Psaki advised reporters at the White Home.

She added: "She would be the first black girl, the first out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve on this function, which is amazing as a result of illustration matters and she goes to, she is going to give a voice to so many and allow and present so many what is actually potential when you work laborious, and dream big and that matters, and ... we should always celebrate that."

Psaki additionally elaborated on Jean-Pierre's profession up, describing her as a "exceptional" person with "decades of expertise."

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

Close Biden adviser returns to White Home

The staffing shakeup within the press office comes because the White House is making a number of other 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 crew additionally shores up the White House counsel's workplace, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations if they retake the bulk.

Dunn is completely leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, folks familiar with the matter tell CNN. She is going to now not be a companion within the agency or listed on the corporate's web site, folks familiar with the matter say.

While Dunn no longer owns a bit of the firm, after it was offered in 2015, her role as a prime strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and plenty of different elected Democratic officers has given SKDK vital prominence in Washington and past. Throughout the presidential campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a leave of absence from the agency. However given the new position at the White House, people acquainted with the matter say, she is severing ties with the firm.

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