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

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

"Karine not solely brings the expertise, talent and integrity wanted for this troublesome job, however she will proceed to lead the way in communicating in regards to the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people," Biden said in an announcement, adding that "Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room."

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

Last Could, Jean-Pierre grew to become the second Black woman in historical past to carry the every day press briefing. She has served on the White House's senior communications crew 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 family contains her accomplice, CNN national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, and their daughter.

"I'm nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen stated, on the prime this is a historic second and it isn't misplaced on me. I understand how necessary it's for so many individuals out there. So many different communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre said.

She added: "It is 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 yr and a half and I do not suppose I might be right here with out so many people, however together with her and she or he is simply only a true stable, amazing particular person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is familiar with her new role. She is usually in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has crammed in for her for on the lectern and has additionally gaggled with reporters traveling with Biden on Air Drive One. Recently, she changed Psaki at the final minute for Biden's four-day journey to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined constructive for Covid-19 the day earlier than Biden was scheduled to leave.

Psaki's departure is unsurprising, given she had been public about her plan to go away after one yr on the job. A number of names had been into account to interchange her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has grow to be a visible face of the administration in briefings and on cable tv since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

On the White House briefing Thursday, a visibly moved Psaki invited Jean-Pierre up to the rostrum together with her and the two girls embraced as Psaki went by means of Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the importance of her taking the job.

"I just need to take the chance to celebrate and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my partner in fact, Karine Jean-Pierre, the following White House press secretary," Psaki told reporters on the White Home.

She added: "She will be the first black girl, the first out LGBTQ+ individual to serve in this position, which is wonderful as a result of representation issues and he or she goes to, she's going to give a voice to so many and permit and show so many what is really doable when you work arduous, and dream huge and that issues, and ... we should have a good time that."

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

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

Shut Biden adviser returns to White Home

The staffing shakeup in the press office comes because the White House is making a number of different personnel moves in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill within the midterm elections. One in all 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 if they retake the bulk.

Dunn is permanently leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, individuals familiar with the matter tell CNN. She's going to not be a companion in the firm or listed on the company's web site, individuals familiar with 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 many other elected Democratic officials has given SKDK significant prominence in Washington and past. During the presidential campaign and the first a number of months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a leave of absence from the agency. But given the brand new function 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 employees member, and -- as with every other full-time employees member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be topic to all White Home ethics and battle of interest rules, including "rigorous counseling" on her ethics obligations.

This story has been updated with extra developments on Thursday.

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