On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that Karine Jean-Pierre will replace Jen Psaki as White House press secretary later this month.  Said Biden of Psaki: “Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House briefing room. I want to say thank you to Jen for raising the bar, communicating directly and truthfully to the American people, and keeping her sense of humor while doing so. I thank Jen her service to the country, and wish her the very best as she moves forward.”

Biden said of Jean-Pierre: “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. 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 is currently the White House’s principal deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to Biden; she previously worked as the chief of staff for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign. Jean-Pierre will also notably become the first Black and openly LGBTQ White House press secretary in history.

Psaki has served as the top spokeswoman of the administration since Biden’s inauguration; she is expected to depart the White House on May 13. The announcement comes after rumors that Psaki was in talks for a job with MSNBC.

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