Karine Jean-Pierre to change into White Home press secretary, the first Black and out LGBTQ person within the position

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

"Karine not solely brings the expertise, expertise and integrity wanted for this troublesome job, but she's going to proceed to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks," Biden said in an announcement, including that "Jen Psaki has set the usual for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White Home Briefing Room."

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

Last Could, Jean-Pierre became the second Black lady in history to carry the each day press briefing. She has served on the White Home's senior communications staff since Biden took workplace 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 am nonetheless processing it because, as Jen said, at the high this can be a historic second and it is not lost on me. I perceive how vital it is for so many people on the market. So many various communities that I stand on their shoulders," Jean-Pierre stated.

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

Jean-Pierre additionally took a moment to thank Psaki.

"She has been just a fantastic colleague, a buddy, a mentor, throughout this previous year and a half and I do not suppose I'd be here without so many people, however including her and he or she is simply just a true solid, superb person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is accustomed to her new role. She is usually in the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has crammed in for her for at the lectern and has also gaggled with reporters touring with Biden on Air Power One. Not too long ago, she changed Psaki on the last minute for Biden's four-day trip 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 depart after one yr on the job. Several names had been into account to switch her, including Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has grow to be a visible face of the administration in briefings and on cable television since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

On the White Home briefing Thursday, a visibly moved Psaki invited Jean-Pierre up to the podium along with her and the 2 girls embraced as Psaki went through Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the importance of her taking the job.

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

She added: "She will be the first black woman, the primary out LGBTQ+ person to serve on this position, which is wonderful because representation issues and he or she is going to, she's going to give a voice to so many and permit and present so many what is actually possible if you work arduous, and dream large and that matters, and ... we should always rejoice that."

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

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

Close Biden adviser returns to White Home

The staffing shakeup in the press workplace comes because the White Home is making a number of other personnel strikes in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill in the midterm elections. One of Biden's closest advisers, Anita Dunn, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his team 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 accustomed to the matter tell CNN. She will now not be a accomplice in the agency or listed on the corporate's website, folks aware of the matter say.

While Dunn no longer owns a bit of the firm, after it was sold in 2015, her function as a high strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and many different elected Democratic officers has given SKDK important prominence in Washington and beyond. During the presidential campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a leave of absence from the agency. However given the new position at the White House, folks conversant in the matter say, she is severing ties with the firm.

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 subject to all White House ethics and battle of interest 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.