President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoted to White House Press Secretary, replacing Jen Psaki, who is leaving the White House on May 13 for a on-air job with MSNBC.
Jean-Pierre has served as Psaki's deputy press secretary since the Biden administration took office, and was previously the chief of staff for Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign.
She will become the first Black woman to hold the position, in addition to being the first openly gay woman to be press secretary.
“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, according to NBC News.
"Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration."
Jean-Pierre has filled in for Psaki on a handful of occasions throughout the last year, and will now continue to be the one to lead daily press briefings, while also advising the Biden administration in regards to communication.
"It’s a real honor just to be standing here today," Jean-Pierre said, according to The Washington Post. "I appreciate the historic nature, I really do. But I believe being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building, is not about one person. It’s about what we do on behalf of the American people."
Psaki took to Twitter on Thursday to thank the Biden family for her time as press secretary and shared her excitement for Jean-Pierre to take over the job.
"Lots to say about how grateful I am to @POTUS and @FLOTUS and the Biden family for trusting me to serve as @PressSec and plenty of time before my last day to share, but today is about @KJP46 so a few thoughts on this remarkable woman who will soon be behind the podium every day," Psaki tweeted.
"She will be the first black woman and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as the White House Press Secretary," Psaki added. "Representation matters and she will give a voice to many, but also make many dream big about what is truly possible."
Psaki went on to say that she is "grateful" to have worked with Jean-Pierre and fully believes she will thrive in the new role.
One of our first conversations was about how to build a drama free team that focused on doing the job and also supporting each other while playing a role every day in rebuilding trust in government," Psaki said. "Grateful to have had her by my side."
"I can't wait to see her shine as she brings her own style, brilliance and grace to the podium," Psaki said.
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