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

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

"Karine not solely brings the expertise, talent and integrity needed for this tough job, however she's going to continue to lead the way in speaking in regards to 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 usual for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room."

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

Last Might, Jean-Pierre became the second Black girl in history to carry the day by day press briefing. She has served on the White Home's senior communications workforce since Biden took workplace and before that was an adviser to his marketing campaign and chief of staff to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

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

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

"She has been just a wonderful colleague, a good friend, a mentor, during this past year and a half and I do not assume I might be right here with out so many people, but together with her and he or she is just only a true stable, wonderful particular person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new position. She is often 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. Lately, she changed Psaki on the last minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki tested constructive for Covid-19 the day earlier than Biden was scheduled to depart.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to go away after one yr on the job. Several names had been into consideration to replace 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.

At the White Home briefing Thursday, a visibly moved Psaki invited Jean-Pierre up to the podium along 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 chance to celebrate and congratulate my good friend, my colleague, my companion in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the following White House press secretary," Psaki advised reporters at the White House.

She added: "She will be the first black woman, the primary out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve in this role, which is wonderful as a result of representation matters and she goes to, she is going to give a voice to so many and permit and show so many what is truly doable when you work onerous, and dream big and that issues, and ... we should always have fun that."

Psaki additionally elaborated on Jean-Pierre's profession up, describing her as a "outstanding" individual with "decades of experience."

"I simply cannot wait to see her shine at the podium. So congratulations, and I can not wait to see you bring your personal type, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki stated.

Shut Biden adviser returns to White Home

The staffing shakeup within the press office comes as the White House is making a number of other personnel strikes in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill within 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 group additionally shores up the White House counsel's workplace, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations in the event that they retake the bulk.

Dunn is completely leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, folks acquainted with the matter tell CNN. She is going to now not be a associate within the firm or listed on the corporate's website, people acquainted with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn not owns a bit of the firm, after it was bought in 2015, her role as a high strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and plenty of different elected Democratic officials has given SKDK important prominence in Washington and beyond. Throughout the presidential marketing campaign and the primary several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a depart of absence from the firm. However given the new role on the White Home, 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 all different full-time employees member -- will signal the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be subject to all White Home ethics and conflict of interest rules, including "rigorous counseling" on her ethics obligations.

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

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