Lots of firsts - first person-of-color to hold the job and also the first queer person to hold the job.
Joe Biden has named his new press secretary, after it was announced that Jen Psaki will leave the administration, expected to become a TV host at MSNBC.
Karine Jean-Pierre, currently the principal deputy press secretary, will be taking over the role after Psaki leaves in mid-May. Jean-Pierre, a political analyst, was Kamala Harris’s chief of staff during the vice-president’s presidential campaign in 2020 and served on Barack Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012. She was also an adviser and spokesperson for MoveOn.org, a progressive Pac.
Jean-Pierre will be the first Black person and first out gay person in the role. She has filled in for Psaki on several occasions, most recently while her predecessor was quarantining with Covid-19.
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“She is passionate. She is smart and she has a moral core that makes her not just a great colleague, but an amazing mom and human,” Psaki said on Twitter. “Plus, she has a great sense of humor.”
In his statement, Biden also lauded Jean-Pierre’s “experience, talent and integrity”.
“Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this administration,” he said.
Biden also lauded Psaki for her work in the role, which spanned tumultuous moments for the administration, including the Afghanistan evacuation, Omicron wave and, most recently, the leaked supreme court draft signaling the end of Roe v Wade.
“Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House briefing room.”
Psaki’s last day will be 13 May. The White House also announced the return of Anita Dunn as a senior adviser and assistant to the president.
With the announcement that Jen Psaki will be stepping down from the role of White House press secretary - she's moving to TV job - it's been confirmed that her replacement will be Karine Jean-Pierre.
Jean-Pierre is currently the principal deputy press secretary and has covered duties for Psaki on numerous occasions, so it's not a surprising appointment.
What makes Jean-Pierre's appointment noteworthy is that it marks a number of firsts. She will be the first person-of-color to hold the role of Press Secretary, and she will also be the first queer person in the job.
Jean-Pierre has an extensive political career. She was Kamala Harris’s chief of staff during the vice-president’s presidential campaign in 2020. She also served on Barack Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012.
“Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this administration...” said President Biden, in his statement confirming the appointment.
Jean-Pierre will step into the role in mid-May, upon the departure of Psaki.
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