Who is Caryn Jean-Pierre? Meet Biden’s new spokesman

WASHINGTON – White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki will step down next week and be replaced by Deputy Chief of Staff Caryn Jean-Pierre. The White House announced Thursday.

“Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decency to the White House briefing room,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “I want to thank Jen for raising the bar, direct and truthful communication with Americans while maintaining a sense of humor. I thank Jen for her service to the country and wish her all the best as she moves forward.”

Psaki, who leaves the White House on May 13, congratulated Jean-Pierre on the historic appointment of the first black woman and the first open LGBTQ + White House spokeswoman.

“Representation matters, and it will give a voice to many, but also make many dream of what is really possible,” Psaki wrote on Twitter.

The announcement came amid reports that Psaki would join MSNBC.

When she entered the job, Psaki, who has two young children, publicly stated that she aspires to stay at work for about a year.

In addition to his current role as Chief Deputy Spokesman, Jean-Pierre also holds the position of Deputy Assistant to the President. She held senior positions during the Biden campaign and then-Vice President Biden in the Obama administration.

“Karin not only brings the experience, talent and honesty needed for this challenging job, but she will continue to provide information on the work of the Biden-Harris administration on behalf of the American people,” Biden said. “Jill and I have known and respected Karin for a long time, and she will be a strong voice who will speak for me and this administration.”

Prior to joining the campaign, she served as CEO of MoveOn.org and a political scientist at NBC and MSNBC. Jean-Pierre was born in Martinique and grew up in New York City, a graduate of Columbia University.

The White House has also announced its plan to bring back longtime strategist Anita Dunn as Biden’s senior adviser. Dan served at the White House last year after Biden was sworn in.