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

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

"Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this tough job, but she's going to proceed to prepared the ground in speaking in regards to the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people," Biden mentioned in a statement, including 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 last day, which will probably be May 13. CNN reported in April that Psaki was planning on leaving her position for one at MSNBC.

Final May, Jean-Pierre became the second Black lady in historical past to hold the each 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 employees to now-Vice President Kamala Harris.

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

"I am nonetheless processing it as a result of, as Jen mentioned, on the top it is a historic second and it's not lost on me. I understand how vital it is for thus many people on the market. So many various 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 friend, a mentor, throughout this previous year and a half and I don't assume I would be here with out so many individuals, however together with her and he or she is simply only a true strong, wonderful particular person," Jean-Pierre said.

Jean-Pierre is aware of her new function. She is often within the room when Psaki briefs reporters, has filled in for her for at the lectern and has also gaggled with reporters traveling with Biden on Air Pressure One. Lately, she changed Psaki at the last minute for Biden's four-day trip to Europe amid the Russian invasion after Psaki examined positive 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 go away after one year on the job. A number of names had been into consideration to exchange her, together with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, who has change into a visual face of the administration in briefings and on cable tv 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 by way of Jean-Pierre's qualifications and the importance of her taking the job.

"I simply wish to take the opportunity to have fun and congratulate my pal, my colleague, my companion in reality, Karine Jean-Pierre, the following White House press secretary," Psaki advised reporters at the White Home.

She added: "She will be the first black girl, the primary out LGBTQ+ person to serve in this function, which is amazing as a result of illustration issues and she or he goes to, she is going to give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is truly possible while you work arduous, and dream big and that issues, and ... we must always have fun that."

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

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

Close Biden adviser returns to White House

The staffing shakeup in the press workplace comes because the White House is making several different personnel strikes in preparation for a possible Republican takeover on Capitol Hill in the midterm elections. Considered one of Biden's closest advisers, Anita Dunn, will return to the West Wing as a senior adviser, as his group also shores up the White Home counsel's office, given Republicans have promised to launch a slew of investigations in the event that they retake the majority.

Dunn is completely leaving her consulting firm, SKDK, people familiar with the matter inform CNN. She is going to not be a accomplice within the firm or listed on the corporate's web site, individuals acquainted with the matter say.

Whereas Dunn now not owns a piece of the agency, after it was offered in 2015, her function as a top strategist to Biden, former President Barack Obama and lots of different elected Democratic officials has given SKDK vital prominence in Washington and beyond. During the presidential marketing campaign and the first several months of the Biden administration, Dunn took a depart of absence from the firm. However given the new function on the White Home, folks 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 any different full-time staff member -- will sign the ethics pledge, file an OGE 278 and be topic to all White House ethics and conflict of interest rules, including "rigorous counseling" on her ethics obligations.

This story has been updated with additional developments on Thursday.

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