Karine Jean-Pierre to become White House press secretary, the primary Black and out LGBTQ individual within the position

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

"Karine not solely brings the experience, expertise and integrity wanted for this tough job, however she's going to 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, adding that "Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White Home Briefing Room."

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

Last Might, Jean-Pierre turned the second Black girl in history to hold the daily press briefing. She has served on the White House's senior communications group since Biden took workplace and before that was an adviser to his marketing campaign and chief of staff to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre's family contains her companion, CNN nationwide correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm nonetheless processing it because, as Jen mentioned, at the high this is a historic second and it's not misplaced on me. I understand how necessary it's for therefore many people out there. So many various communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre stated.

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

Jean-Pierre also took a moment to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a fantastic colleague, a buddy, a mentor, during this past yr and a half and I don't suppose I might be right here with out so many people, but including her and he or she is just only a true stable, amazing particular person," Jean-Pierre mentioned.

Jean-Pierre is acquainted with her new role. She is often 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 Drive One. Not too long ago, she replaced Psaki on the last minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined positive for Covid-19 the day earlier than Biden was scheduled to depart.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to go away after one year on the job. Several names had been into consideration to switch 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.

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

"I just want to take the chance to celebrate and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my partner in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House press secretary," Psaki told reporters at the White House.

She added: "She will be the first black girl, the primary out LGBTQ+ individual to serve on this function, which is wonderful as a result of representation matters and she goes to, she will give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is truly attainable once you work hard, and dream massive and that issues, and ... we should always rejoice that."

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

"I simply can't wait to see her shine on the podium. So congratulations, and I am unable to wait to see you bring your personal style, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki mentioned.

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup in the press workplace comes as the White Home is making a number of different 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 team additionally shores up the White House counsel's office, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations if they retake the majority.

Dunn is permanently leaving her consulting agency, SKDK, folks aware of the matter inform CNN. She is going to not be a companion in the agency or listed on the corporate's web site, people familiar with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn not owns a piece of the agency, after it was offered in 2015, her position as a high strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and many other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK significant prominence in Washington and past. In the course of the presidential campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a go away of absence from the agency. But given the new position on the White Home, folks aware of the matter say, she is severing ties with the firm.

An official says Dunn will now be a full-time staff member, and -- as with any other full-time workers member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be topic to all White House ethics and conflict of curiosity guidelines, including "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.