The Biden administration has announced that Karine Jean-Pierre will be the next White House Press Secretary, as Jen Psaki is expected to step down from the position by next week.

In a statement released to that effect, US President, Joe Biden, said, Jean-Pierre would step into the Press Secretary role when Psaki leaves the White House on May 13, 2022. Jean-Pierre will also act as an assistant to the President.

In the words of Mr. Biden, he disclosed that “I am proud to announce that Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as the next White House Press Secretary”.

“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.”
US President, Joe Biden

Who is Karine Jean-Pierre?

In preparation for her new role, Jean-Pierre is currently the White House’s Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Assistant to President Joe Biden. She was born on the French Caribbean island of Martinique and raised in Queens, New York.

The White House statement also noted that Jean-Pierre previously held the role of Senior Communication and political roles in Biden’s Presidential campaign team, and also during the era when Mr. Biden served as Vice President under the Obama administration. Jean-Pierre was also the Chief Public Affairs Officer of the Progressive Group MoveOn.org and a former Political Analyst for NBC and MSNBC, ad she brings more than two decades of experience in Democratic politics to the role.

Outgoing Press Secretary’s Assurance

Psaki praised her successor, noting the significance of the history-making appointment.

Psaki disclosed that “She will be the first Black woman and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as the White House Press Secretary. Representation matters and she will give a voice to many, but also make many dreams big about what is truly possible.”

Jean-Pierre said that Thursday (May 5, 2022) evening was a “very emotional day” when asked about becoming the first Black woman to serve as White House Press Secretary. While speaking during a briefing, she said “This is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me”.

“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. And so, it is an honour and a privilege to be behind this podium in about a week or so when Jen is ready.”
Karine Jean-Pierre

Before taking the role as Press Secretary, Psaki made it public that she aimed to remain in the job for about a year.

In a statement from the White House, President Joe Biden thanked Psaki for her contribution to his administration, saying she “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.”
President Biden’s statement

Jean-Pierre’s appointment has come ahead of crucial mid-term elections scheduled for November this year (2022), and that will determine how the rest of Mr. Biden’s Presidency will turn out.