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

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

"Karine not only brings the experience, expertise and integrity needed for this difficult job, however she is going to continue to prepared the ground in speaking in regards to the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American individuals," Biden mentioned 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 final day, which shall be May 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her role for one at MSNBC.

Final Could, Jean-Pierre became the second Black lady in historical past to carry the each day press briefing. She has served on the White House's senior communications workforce since Biden took office and before that was an adviser to his campaign and chief of staff to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

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

"I'm nonetheless processing it because, as Jen said, on the prime this is a historic second and it's not misplaced on me. I perceive how necessary it's for therefore many people out there. So many alternative 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 only a fantastic colleague, a buddy, a mentor, throughout this past yr and a half and I don't assume I'd be right here without so many individuals, however including her and she is just just a true solid, superb person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new position. She is usually within 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 Power 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 under consideration to exchange her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has become 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 up to the rostrum together with her and the 2 women embraced as Psaki went by way of Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just need to take the opportunity to have fun and congratulate my pal, my colleague, my accomplice in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the following White House press secretary," Psaki told reporters on the White House.

She added: "She would be the first black lady, the first out LGBTQ+ individual to serve on this position, which is wonderful because illustration issues and she goes to, she's going to give a voice to so many and permit and show so many what is really attainable whenever you work laborious, and dream huge and that issues, and ... we should always have fun that."

Psaki additionally elaborated on Jean-Pierre's career up, describing her as a "remarkable" person with "a long time of experience."

"I simply can't wait to see her shine at the podium. So congratulations, and I can't wait to see you carry your own style, 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 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 office, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations in the event that they retake the majority.

Dunn is permanently leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, individuals familiar with the matter inform CNN. She's going to not be a partner in the agency or listed on the company's website, people conversant in the matter say.

Whereas Dunn not owns a bit of the agency, after it was offered in 2015, her function as a prime strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and plenty of different elected Democratic officials has given SKDK vital prominence in Washington and beyond. In the course of the presidential campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a depart of absence from the firm. However given the brand new function on the White Home, people familiar with the matter say, she is severing ties with the agency.

An official says Dunn will now be a full-time staff member, and -- as with any other full-time employees member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be topic to all White Home ethics and conflict of interest guidelines, together with "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.