Karine Jean-Pierre is First Black Woman, Openly LGBTQ White House Press Secretary

Jen Psaki held her last press briefing as the White House press secretary on May 13 and has welcomed Karine Jean-Pierre into the role. Karine Jean-Pierre is the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to hold the highly esteemed White House press secretary position. 

Psaki is bidding the American people a farewell, for now. The former White House press secretary will be missed, but she has paid her dues in her career: Many believe Psaki played an integral part in restoring the trust between the White House to the American people, and she also outperformed all of the press secretaries during Trump’s presidency.

CNN reported that the Trump era totaled 205 press briefings, with combined secretaries Sean Spicer, Sarah Sanders, and Kayleigh McEnany. Psaki’s commitment to the American people and her devotion to the White House is evident, with a whopping 225 press briefings over a 16-month period. Briefing sessions accounted for 91% of the days, when counting workdays without weekends and holidays.

Psaki is allegedly working on MSNBC programming to premiere on NBC later this fall. As of now, there are no contracts on record to confirm Psaki’s next move. 

Karine Jean-Pierre was appointed the White House press secretary by President Joe Biden, citing her stunning resume, promising capability, and her longstanding relationship with Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Prior to the press secretary position, Jean-Pierre was the public affairs officer for MoveOn.org and an MSN and MSNBC political analyst. Jean-Pierre was also the regional political director of the White House during the Obama-Biden administration and battleground states director for Obama’s reelection campaign.

On top of Jean-Pierre’s impressive resume, she and her partner, CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, have a daughter. Jean-Pierre told The Haitian Times she was thinking about her daughter and the future of the country when she decided to join Biden’s 2020 campaign.

“I looked at her and I thought to myself, ‘There is no way I can not get involved in this election,’” Jean-Pierre told the paper in 2020.

I am honored that @POTUS trusted me to speak on his behalf. The @WhiteHouse is about the people. I am deeply grateful to the public servants (including my faves on the press team) who have made this job the experience of a lifetime. You've got this @KJP46! Follow me @jrpsaki pic.twitter.com/N4Upj8MOeM

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) May 13, 2022

Although the American people are saddened to see Psaki move on, Jean-Pierre has received a warm welcome by the Biden administration:

“I am proud to announce that Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as the next White House Press Secretary.” President Biden states in an official White House announcement.

“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. Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.” Biden continues.

Vice President Kamala Harris also congratulates Jean-Pierre via Twitter, remarking: “Congratulations Karine on making history as our next White House press secretary. I am looking forward to seeing you behind the podium. You are going to do great.”

Congratulations Karine on making history as our next White House press secretary. I am looking forward to seeing you behind the podium. You are going to do great, @KJP46.

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) May 6, 2022

“This is a historic moment, and it’s not lost on me,” Jean-Pierre said when her appointment was announced May 5.

Jean Pierre adds that she never felt unworthy or doubted her ability to actualize her monumental career.

“No, not at all. I just worked hard towards it,” she told reporters when her appointment was announced. “But I understand how hard it is. I do. We all do. But just keep working hard towards it.”   

As she makes her exit, Psaki offers some words of encouragement and advice to her successor.

“It can be repetitive in here from time to time, that’s not a critique, you are all doing your jobs. But, in the age of social media, always provide the context and all the details because you never want to be a meme with one line,” Psaki says.

“Otherwise be yourself,” she adds. “And Karine, as I said last week, is going to bring her own magic and brilliance, her style to this briefing room and always, for anyone who comes after me or Karine, is to continue to make it better, to do better for the president and the American people.”