Lauren Moye, FISM News
President Joe Biden announced the next press secretary yesterday. Karine Jean-Pierre, who currently serves as the Principal Deputy Press Secretary, will take over the role when current Press Secretary Jen Psaki steps down on May 13.
“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,” said Biden in a statement released yesterday.
He added, “Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time, and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.”
The 44-year-old first worked with Biden when he served as Vice President in the Obama Administration. At that time, Jean-Pierre was the Regional Political Director for the White House political affairs office. She also assisted in both Biden’s campaign and Obama’s two election campaigns. Before that, she held a top public affairs position for MoveOn.org. She has also previously worked as a Political Analyst for both NBC and MSNBC.
“This is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me,” Jean-Pierre said from the White House press room. “It is an honor and a privilege to be behind this podium.”
The Haitian-born Jean-Pierre immigrated to the U.S. as a child, after which point she lived in Queens, New York. Biden previously pledged to expand the diversity of his cabinet, top officials, and judges to better reflect America’s diversity. Jean-Pierre will be the first Black individual to hold the position. She is also the first openly gay press secretary.
Jean-Pierre’s relationship with CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux, reported by the New York Post as a long-term relationship, has raised concerns about a conflict of interest between the White House and one of the larger media sources. In addition to the NYP article, Breitbart chief editor Alex Marlow also called attention to how the relationship can potentially compromise the media’s truthfulness to the public.
As I reported in Breaking the News, Karine Jean-Pierre is married to CNN anchor and national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
This is one of many examples of the corporate media LITERALLY in bed with the government it covers. https://t.co/TIfOxLywSH
— Alex Marlow (@AlexMarlow) May 5, 2022
She later tweeted her gratitude for the promotion, saying, “It is a true honor. I look forward to serving this Administration and the American people. I have big shoes to fill.”
“She comes to this job with decades of experience, even though she looks very young,” Psaki said during the announcement. She described that Jean-Pierre’s appointment will give a “voice to so many and allow and show what is truly possible when you work hard and dream big.”
Psaki’s resignation from her office has been planned. When she began the role at the start of Biden’s presidency, she announced that she would stay “about a year.” When she officially steps down as Press Secretary next Friday, she will have served as Press Secretary for roughly 16 months.
“Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect, and decorum to the White House Briefing Room,” said Biden about Psaki’s service. “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.”