Karine Jean-Pierre to change into White Home press secretary, the primary Black and out LGBTQ person within the function

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

"Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity wanted for this tough job, but she is going to proceed to prepared the ground in communicating concerning the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people," Biden stated in a press release, including that "Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room."

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

Last Could, Jean-Pierre grew to become the second Black woman in historical past to carry the daily press briefing. She has served on the White Home's senior communications staff 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 family includes her partner, CNN nationwide correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I am still processing it as a result of, as Jen stated, at the prime this is a historic moment and it is not misplaced on me. I perceive how necessary it is for therefore many people out there. So many various communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre mentioned.

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 friend, a mentor, throughout this previous yr and a half and I do not think I'd be right here without so many people, but including her and he or she is simply just a true strong, amazing person," Jean-Pierre stated.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new role. She is commonly in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has stuffed in for her for on the lectern and has also gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Force One. Lately, she changed Psaki at the last minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined optimistic for Covid-19 the day before Biden was scheduled to depart.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to depart after one yr on the job. A number of names had been into consideration to replace her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has turn into a visible face of the administration in briefings and on cable television 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 with her and the 2 ladies embraced as Psaki went through Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I simply wish to take the opportunity to have a good time and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my associate in fact, Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House press secretary," Psaki instructed reporters at the White House.

She added: "She would be the first black woman, the first out LGBTQ+ individual to serve on this position, which is wonderful because illustration issues and she or he goes to, she will give a voice to so many and allow and present so many what is really doable whenever you work laborious, and dream large and that matters, and ... we must always celebrate that."

Psaki also elaborated on Jean-Pierre's career up, describing her as a "exceptional" person with "decades 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 deliver your own style, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki stated.

Shut Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup in the press office comes because the White House is making a number of different personnel strikes in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill within the midterm elections. One in all Biden's closest advisers, Anita Dunn, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his crew additionally shores up the White Home counsel's workplace, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations in the event that they retake the majority.

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

While Dunn now not owns a chunk of the firm, after it was sold in 2015, her function as a prime strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and plenty of other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK important prominence in Washington and beyond. In the course of the presidential campaign and the primary several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a go away of absence from the agency. But given the brand new role at the White House, individuals conversant in the matter say, she is severing ties with the firm.

An official says Dunn will now be a full-time employees member, and -- as with all other full-time employees member -- will signal the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be topic to all White Home ethics and battle of curiosity rules, 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.