Karine Jean-Pierre named as Biden’s second press secretary, the first Black and LGBT+ person to hold the position

This week, President Joe Biden named the new White House Press Secretary who will take over from Jen Psaki when she leaves the position later this month. Current deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will take over the position, making her the first Black person to hold the job, as well as the first LGBTQ+ individual to be named to the spot.

“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 a statement. “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 came to the White House from the political activism group MoveOn, where she served as communications director. She has also appeared on MSNBC as a regular contributor and worked on several high-profile political campaigns.

Current press secretary Jen Psaki, whose last day at the White House is scheduled for May 13, introduced Jean-Pierre at a press briefing on Thursday as her successor, calling her “my friend, my colleague, my partner in truth.” Jean-Pierre has run a few press briefings during her tenure as deputy press secretary, including recently when Psaki was out with COVID-19.

“This is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me,” Jean-Pierre said at Thursday’s briefing. “I understand how important it is for so many people out there, so many different communities, that I stand on their shoulders and I have been throughout my career.”

In a previous press briefing she led last year, Jean-Pierre said, “It’s a real honor just to be standing here today. 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 is expected to take a position with MSNBC upon her exit from the White House.