By Mark Heim
President Joe Biden named on Thursday Karine Jean-Pierre to be the next White House press secretary.
Jen Psaki, who previously held the position, is set to leave the role next week.
Jean-Pierre will be the first Black woman and the first openly gay person to hold the position.
“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 praising Jean-Pierre, who has served as his principal deputy press secretary since Inauguration Day.
Biden is also bringing back longtime Democratic strategist Anita Dunn as his senior adviser. She had served in the Biden White House last year for several months after Biden was sworn into office.
Jean-Pierre was born in Haiti and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, growing up in Queens, New York. She has served as deputy press secretary and has filled in for Psaki.
Psaki, meanwhile, leaves the White House on May 13.
“Representation matters and she will give a voice to many, but also make many dream big about what is truly possible,” Psaki tweeted.