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

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

"Karine not solely brings the experience, expertise and integrity needed for this tough job, however she will proceed to cleared the path in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks," Biden said in a press release, adding that "Jen Psaki has set the usual for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White Home Briefing Room."

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

Last Might, Jean-Pierre grew to become the second Black girl 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 workers to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

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

"I'm nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen said, on the prime this can be a historic second and it's not misplaced on me. I perceive how necessary it is for so many people on the market. So many alternative 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 additionally took a moment to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a fantastic colleague, a good friend, a mentor, throughout this past year and a half and I don't suppose I would be here without so many individuals, however together with her and she or he is simply just a true strong, wonderful particular person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new position. She is commonly within the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has stuffed in for her for on the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters traveling with Biden on Air Power One. Not too long ago, she replaced Psaki on the last minute for Biden's four-day trip to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined constructive 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 12 months on the job. A number of names had been into account to switch her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has change into a visible 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 up to the podium with her and the two women embraced as Psaki went through Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the importance of her taking the job.

"I simply wish to take the opportunity to have fun and congratulate my good friend, my colleague, my associate in fact, Karine Jean-Pierre, the subsequent White House press secretary," Psaki instructed reporters on the White Home.

She added: "She would be the first black girl, the first out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve on this role, which is wonderful as a result of representation issues and he or she goes to, she will give a voice to so many and allow and present so many what is truly potential whenever you work laborious, and dream massive and that matters, and ... we must always celebrate that."

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

"I simply can't wait to see her shine on the podium. So congratulations, and I am unable to wait to see you carry your own type, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki said.

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup within the press office comes because the White House is making several different personnel strikes in preparation for a potential Republican takeover on Capitol Hill in the midterm elections. One among 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 majority.

Dunn is permanently leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, individuals aware of the matter tell CNN. She will now not be a companion in the firm or listed on the company's web site, folks aware of the matter say.

While Dunn not owns a chunk of the agency, after it was bought in 2015, her function as a prime strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and lots of other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK vital prominence in Washington and past. Throughout the presidential marketing campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a depart of absence from the firm. But given the new function on the White House, folks acquainted with 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 different full-time workers member -- will signal the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be subject to all White Home ethics and battle of curiosity guidelines, including "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.