Biden Taps Black Woman, LGBT White House Press Secretary
White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a press briefing at the White House, in Washington in February.
WASHINGTON (AP):
President Joe Biden on Thursday named Karine Jean-Pierre to be the next White House press secretary, the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to serve in the role, with incumbent Jen Psaki set to leave the post next week.
Jean-Pierre takes on the role as the White House faces an uphill battle to help Democrats hold on to the House and Senate in this fall’s midterm elections, and as the administration struggles to address Americans’ concerns about soaring inflation and the state of the economy. She also comes into the job as Biden faces a daunting array of foreign policy challenges, including the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and North Korea’s escalating nuclear testing programme. Biden is set to visit South Korea and Japan later this month and Europe in June.
Biden is also bringing back long-time 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.
“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.
Psaki, who leaves the White House on May 13, praised her successor, noting the significance of the history-making appointment.
“Representation matters and she will give a voice to many, but also make many dreams big about what is truly possible,” Psaki said.
She said Biden offered the job to Jean-Pierre Thursday in the Oval Office. White House staffers were gathered after the offer and greeted Jean-Pierre with applause, an official said. Two “warm bottles” of champagne were procured for a toast in White House paper cups, the official added, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe the internal gathering.
When Jean-Pierre delivered her first press briefing last year, she told reporters, “It’s a real honour to just be standing here today. I appreciate the historic nature, I really do,” she said.