Biden announces Karine Jean-Pierre as 1st Black, lesbian press secretary
The White House announced Thursday that Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoted to be assistant to the president and White House press secretary, becoming both the first Black and lesbian person in that position.Jean-Pierre will replace current press secretary Jen Psaki, who will depart from the White House May 13."I am proud to announce that Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as the next White House press secretary, President Joe Biden said in the statement released May 5."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 stated. "Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this administration."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," the president stated.Jean-Pierre, 44, was named to her first role in the Biden administration as deputy White House press secretary under Psaki in November 2020.Although Jean-Pierre is not the first Black woman to hold the position as deputy White House press secretary, that honor belonging to former President George H.W.
Bush's deputy White House press secretary, Judy A. Smith in 1991, and not the first openly gay person to brief the press — Eric Schultz served as deputy White House press secretary during the Obama administration in 2014 —.
