Karine Jean-Pierre to grow to be White House press secretary, the first Black and out LGBTQ individual within the function

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

"Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity wanted for this tough job, however she's going to continue to prepared the ground in communicating concerning the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks," Biden mentioned 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 will be May 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her function for one at MSNBC.

Final May, Jean-Pierre grew to become the second Black girl in historical past to carry the each day press briefing. She has served on the White House's senior communications group since Biden took office and earlier than that was an adviser to his marketing campaign and chief of workers to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre's household includes her associate, CNN nationwide correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen said, on the high this is a historic second and it is not misplaced on me. I perceive how important it's for so many individuals on the market. So many alternative communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre mentioned.

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

Jean-Pierre additionally took a second to thank Psaki.

"She has been only a fantastic colleague, a buddy, a mentor, throughout this previous 12 months and a half and I do not think I might be right here with out so many individuals, but together with her and she is simply only a true stable, superb particular person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is familiar with her new function. She is often within the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has filled in for her for on the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters traveling with Biden on Air Pressure One. Recently, 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 before Biden was scheduled to go away.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to depart after one yr on the job. Several names had been under consideration to exchange her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has grow to be a visual 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 rostrum with her and the two women embraced as Psaki went via Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just need to take the opportunity to rejoice and congratulate my buddy, my colleague, my companion in fact, Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House press secretary," Psaki informed reporters at the White Home.

She added: "She would be the first black lady, the primary out LGBTQ+ individual to serve on this role, which is amazing because illustration matters and she goes to, she's going to give a voice to so many and permit and show so many what is really potential while you work onerous, and dream big and that issues, and ... we should have fun that."

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

"I just can't wait to see her shine at the podium. So congratulations, and I can not wait to see you carry your personal model, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki said.

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

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

Dunn is completely leaving her consulting agency, SKDK, individuals accustomed to the matter tell CNN. She will no longer be a companion within the firm or listed on the corporate's web site, folks familiar with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn now not owns a piece of the firm, after it was offered in 2015, her position as a high strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and many different elected Democratic officers has given SKDK vital prominence in Washington and beyond. During the presidential marketing campaign and the first a number of months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a depart of absence from the firm. But given the new position at the White Home, folks familiar with the matter say, she is severing ties with the firm.

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

This story has been up to date with additional developments on Thursday.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny and Sam Fossum contributed to this report.