Jean-Pierre appointed as first black, LGBTQ White House press secretary
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has said that Karine JeanPierre would replace Jen Psaki as White House press secretary, becoming both the first Black person and openly LGBTQ person to hold the position.
Jean-Pierre currently is Psaki’s principal deputy. Psaki’s last day will be May 13, the White House said in a statement.
“Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people,” Biden said in the statement.
“Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room.”
The US president offered her the job on Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office.
Biden also announced that Anita Dunn would return as a senior adviser. She left the White House in April 2021 to rejoin her political consulting firm, SKDK, after advising the president during his campaign and first months in office.
Dunn “will assist in advancing the President’s policy and communications objectives”, the White House said.
Psaki is set to join NBC and is expected to moderate a show on its Peacock streaming network. She said she was grateful to the Biden family for trusting her and called Jean-Pierre a “remarkable woman”.
Jean-Pierre takes on the role as the White House faces an uphill battle to help Democrats hold onto the House and Senate in this fall’s midterm elections, and as the administration struggles to address Americans’ concerns about soaring inflation and the state of the economy.