United States President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that Karine Jean-Pierre will replace Jen Psaki as White House press secretary, marking her the first Black person to function as the official representative of the United States government.
Psaki, who will resign on May 13, previously said that she intended to serve for just roughly a year.
Since the start of Biden's presidency, Jean-Pierre has been the senior press secretary. She was the top public affairs manager for MoveOn.org, a liberal advocacy organization, and served on his 2020 U.S. presidential campaign and in former President Barack Obama's White House.
Biden has promised to appoint top government leaders, members of the cabinet, and judicial officers who embody America's multiculturalism, despite the fact that white individuals bring up less than 60% of the country and have long held the majority of high government positions.
"Karine offers not just the expertise, skill, and character required for this challenging job, but she will also remain to pave the nation in speaking about the Biden-Harris Government's work on behalf of the American public," he emphasized in a statement.
The position of press secretary is the White House's most prominent public-facing position.
In a brief visit to the White House press room, Jean-Pierre declared that what happened was a historic event, and it was not wasted on her. She added that it was an honor and a privilege to be behind the podium.
In the 1990s, then-President Bill Clinton appointed Dee Dee Meyers as the first woman to hold the position. After difficult interactions with the press under Republican previous President Donald Trump, Biden selected Psaki.
"Jen Psaki has raised the benchmark for restoring integrity, honor, and civility to the White House Press Room," Biden stated, applauding her for lifting the bar, engaging directly and honestly with the American public while maintaining her good sense of humor.
Psaki has been noted for her assured, straight-to-the-point style of speaking from the White House platform. During her media engagements as Psaki's deputy, Jean-Pierre, who was the head of staff for Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2020, has preferred to adhere to briefing points.
"She arrives in this role with decades of expertise, despite her youthful appearance," Psaki said, adding that her selection will offer a platform to many and demonstrate what is actually feasible when you work really hard and aspire big in life.
