Karine Jean-Pierre, a White Home communications official, will turn into the primary black and overtly homosexual individual to function White House press secretary. Her tenure begins subsequent week.
Joe Biden introduced on Thursday that Jean-Pierre, 44, will succeed outgoing press secretary Jen Psaki on Could 13. Psaki is reportedly leaving for a pundit function with MSNBC.
In a press assertion, Biden mentioned:
“Karine not solely brings the expertise, expertise and integrity wanted for this troublesome job, however she’s going to proceed to paved the way in speaking concerning the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American folks. Jill and I’ve recognized and revered Karine a very long time and she or he will likely be a robust voice talking for me and this Administration.”
Jean-Pierre will make historical past as the primary overtly homosexual individual to carry a White Home press briefing on Could 26, 2021. She was additionally a key political director within the Obama administration.
Karine Jean-Pierre was born in Haiti and immigrated to the US as a toddler
Biden introduced Thursday that White Home press secretary Jen Psaki would step down from her function on Could 13. He additionally introduced that Anita Dunn would return to the administration as a senior adviser and assistant to the president.
Jean-Pierre grew up in Queens, New York, and served as deputy press secretary because the begin of the administration. She has beforehand stuffed in for Psaki and briefed reporters touring with the president.
Concerning her successor, Psaki mentioned:
“She is going to give a voice to so many and present so many what is actually attainable whenever you work onerous and dream large.”
Karine Jean-Pierre anchored her first White Home briefing nearly a yr in the past. ABC Information Senior White Home Correspondent Mary Bruce requested her about making historical past on the podium. Now, her legacy will likely be long-lasting.
She was the nationwide spokeswoman for MoveOn, a distinguished liberal advocacy group, through the 2016 presidential election. Earlier than becoming a member of the White Home press staff, she was VP Kamala Harris’ chief of workers after Biden selected her as a vice-presidential nominee.
Jean-Pierre’s appointment comes forward of essential midterm elections in November, figuring out what the second half of Biden’s presidency will appear to be. Given the pending Supreme Court docket determination on Roe v Wade, COVID, and Russia-Ukraine, amongst different regional points, the White Home press staff will likely be busy this yr.