Karine Jean-Pierre to replace Jen Psaki as White House press secretary

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President Biden on Thursday announced that Karine Jean-Pierre will replace Jen Psaki as White House press secretary beginning later this month. 

The president announced Jean-Pierre, who has been serving as principal deputy press secretary, will also serve as an assistant to the president.

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Psaki is set to depart the White House on May 13.

"I am proud to announce that Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as the next White House Press Secretary," the president said Thursday. "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 added: "Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration."

White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre smiles as she arrives for a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ((AP Photo/Andrew Harnik))

The president went on to praise Psaki for having "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," the president said. "I thank Jen her service to the country, and wish her the very best as she moves forward."

Jean-Pierre has been a long-time advisor to Biden, having served in senior communication and political roles in the administration, the Biden campaign, and with Biden while he served as vice president in the Obama Administration, the White House said Thursday. 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Prior to joining the Biden campaign, Jean-Pierre served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and as an NBC and MSNBC political analyst. 

During the Obama administration, Jean-Pierre served as regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs, and as deputy battleground states director for former President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, and as Southeast Regional Political Director for Obama’s 2008 campaign. 

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Jean-Pierre also served as deputy campaign manager for Martin O’Malley for President, campaign manager for the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Initiative, and deputy chief of staff and director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members of the New York City Council.

Jean-Pierre is a graduate of Columbia University, and was born in Martinique and raised in New York. 

The announcement comes after Psaki signaled last month that she was planning to leave the Biden administration to join MSNBC.

Psaki's deal is reportedly similar to that of Symone Sanders, a former senior spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris and White House adviser. Sanders signed a deal for a show with NBC back in January, which will air on MSNBC and will stream Mondays and Tuesdays on Peacock, according to Deadline. 

MEET THE PRESS -- Pictured: (l-r)  Anita Dunn, Fmr. White House Communications Director, appears on "Meet the Press" in Washington, D.C., Sunday, May 4, 2014. (Photo by: William B. Plowman/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The White House also announced Thursday the return of Anita Dunn as a senior advisor and assistant to the president. Dunn rejoins the White House staff from her communications and political consulting firm SKDK, and will assist in advancing the President’s policy and communications objectives.