Karine Jean-Pierre to become White House press secretary, the primary Black and out LGBTQ person in the role

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

"Karine not solely brings the expertise, talent and integrity wanted for this troublesome job, but she is going to proceed to paved the way in speaking concerning the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people," Biden stated in a statement, adding 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 will likely be Could 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her function for one at MSNBC.

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

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

"I'm still processing it because, as Jen said, at the prime this is a historic second and it is not lost on me. I understand how important it's for therefore many people out there. So many different communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre said.

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 just a fantastic colleague, a pal, a mentor, throughout this past 12 months and a half and I don't suppose I might be right here without so many individuals, however including her and she is simply just a true stable, wonderful person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new position. She is often in 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. Lately, she replaced Psaki on the final minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined optimistic for Covid-19 the day earlier than Biden was scheduled to go away.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to leave after one yr on the job. Several names had been under consideration to interchange 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 up to the podium together with her and the two women embraced as Psaki went by Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the significance of her taking the job.

"I just want to take the chance to rejoice and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my companion in truth, Karine Jean-Pierre, the subsequent White House press secretary," Psaki advised reporters on the White House.

She added: "She will be the first black lady, the first out LGBTQ+ particular person to serve in this role, which is wonderful as a result of illustration matters and she or he goes to, she's going to give a voice to so many and permit and present so many what is really attainable once you work exhausting, and dream huge and that matters, and ... we should always rejoice that."

Psaki also elaborated on Jean-Pierre's career up, describing her as a "remarkable" particular person with "many years of experience."

"I simply can't wait to see her shine on the podium. So congratulations, and I can't wait to see you deliver your personal style, and brilliance, to this job, " Psaki said.

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup in the press office comes because the White Home 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 staff 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 completely leaving her consulting agency, SKDK, individuals aware of the matter tell CNN. She will not be a accomplice in the firm or listed on the company's web site, people conversant in the matter say.

Whereas Dunn not owns a bit of the agency, after it was sold in 2015, her role as a top strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and lots of different elected Democratic officers has given SKDK important prominence in Washington and beyond. Through the presidential marketing campaign and the first a number of months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a go away of absence from the agency. However given the brand new function at the White House, people aware of 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 every different full-time staff member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be subject to all White Home ethics and conflict of curiosity rules, together with "rigorous counseling" on her ethics obligations.

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

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