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

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

"Karine not only brings the expertise, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, however she is going to proceed to paved the way in speaking concerning the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American individuals," Biden said in an announcement, including 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 last day, which will probably be May 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her position for one at MSNBC.

Last Could, 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 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 includes her partner, CNN nationwide correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen mentioned, on the prime this is a historic moment and it isn't lost on me. I perceive how vital it's for therefore many individuals out there. 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 additionally took a moment to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a wonderful colleague, a pal, a mentor, during this previous yr and a half and I do not assume I would be right here with out so many people, however including her and she is just just a true stable, superb particular person," Jean-Pierre stated.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new position. She is usually in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has stuffed in for her for at the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters traveling with Biden on Air Power One. Recently, she changed Psaki at the last minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki tested 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 leave after one 12 months on the job. A number of names had been into account to interchange her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has grow to be 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 rostrum along with her and the two ladies embraced as Psaki went by Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

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

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

Psaki also elaborated on Jean-Pierre's profession up, describing her as a "remarkable" person with "many years 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 individual type, 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 House is making several different personnel moves in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill in the midterm elections. One in every 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 Home counsel's workplace, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations if they retake the majority.

Dunn is completely leaving her consulting agency, SKDK, people conversant in the matter tell CNN. She will not be a companion in the agency or listed on the company's web site, individuals aware of the matter say.

Whereas Dunn now not owns a chunk of the agency, after it was sold in 2015, her position as a top strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and lots of other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK significant prominence in Washington and beyond. In the course of the presidential campaign and the primary a number of months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a leave of absence from the agency. However given the brand new role at the White House, individuals 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 any different full-time staff member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be subject to all White Home ethics and battle of curiosity rules, together with "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.