Karine Jean-Pierre to become White House press secretary, the primary Black and out LGBTQ particular person in the position

Jean-Pierre at present serves because the White Home's principal deputy press secretary.

"Karine not only brings the expertise, talent and integrity wanted for this tough job, but she will continue to prepared the ground in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks," Biden mentioned in a statement, 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 last day, which shall be Might 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her function for one at MSNBC.

Last May, Jean-Pierre grew to become the second Black woman in history to hold the daily press briefing. She has served on the White House's senior communications team since Biden took office and earlier than that was an adviser to his campaign and chief of staff to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre's household contains her partner, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I am nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen stated, at the high it is a historic moment and it isn't lost on me. I perceive how essential it is for thus many individuals on the market. So many different 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 additionally took a second to thank Psaki.

"She has been just a wonderful colleague, a good friend, a mentor, throughout this past year and a half and I don't assume I would be right here with out so many people, but including her and he or she is just only a true stable, wonderful person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is conversant in her new position. She is usually within the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has crammed in for her for at the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Power One. Not too long ago, she changed Psaki at the final 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 leave.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to leave after one yr on the job. Several names had been under consideration to switch her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has grow to be a visible face of the administration in briefings and on cable tv since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

At the White House briefing Thursday, a visibly moved Psaki invited Jean-Pierre as much as the podium together with her and the 2 women embraced as Psaki went by means of Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just need to take the opportunity to celebrate and congratulate my pal, my colleague, my partner in reality, Karine Jean-Pierre, the subsequent White House press secretary," Psaki instructed reporters at the White Home.

She added: "She will be the first black woman, the first out LGBTQ+ individual to serve on this function, which is wonderful because representation issues and she goes to, she is going to give a voice to so many and permit and show so many what is actually doable when you work exhausting, and dream big and that matters, and ... we should always rejoice that."

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

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

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup in the press workplace comes because the White Home is making several different personnel strikes in preparation for a possible 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 staff additionally shores up the White Home 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, individuals familiar with the matter tell CNN. She will no longer be a partner in the agency or listed on the corporate's website, folks aware of the matter say.

Whereas Dunn now not owns a chunk of the firm, after it was bought in 2015, her position as a top strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and many different elected Democratic officers has given SKDK important prominence in Washington and past. During the presidential marketing campaign and the primary a number of months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a leave of absence from the firm. However given the brand new role at the White Home, people aware of 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 all other full-time staff member -- will signal the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be subject to all White House 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.