(PNA) – There have been rumors for some time that White House press secretary Jen Psaki would soon be leaving President Joe Biden’s administration, and though still unconfirmed, multiple reports are indicating that she will be hired by MSNBC in some sort of role once her government service is complete.
The first part of those rumors have now been proven true, as it was formally announced Thursday that Psaki would resign next week and be replaced in the role of press secretary by her principal deputy, Karine Jean-Pierre, the Daily Caller reported.
Biden announces new press secretary
Psaki’s departure and replacement by Jean-Pierre were first announced Thursday morning by President Biden himself.
“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. “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,” the president added. “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.”
Psaki praises her replacement on social media
Shortly after that statement was released, Psaki posted a lengthy Twitter thread in which she confirmed her impending exit from the White House and praised her understudy Jean-Pierre, who would now be elevated in historic fashion as the first black woman and openly LGBTQ individual to serve as White House press secretary.
Psaki went on to highlight her friend and colleague’s experience and passion and how pleasant it was to work together and support each other in the administration.
“I can’t wait to see her shine as she brings her own style, brilliance and grace to the podium,” the outgoing press secretary concluded.
The change announced during a press briefing
The impending transition was further addressed at the start of the daily press briefing Thursday evening, in which both individuals held back tears as Psaki introduced Jean-Pierre to the press corps, even though, as the Daily Caller noted, Jean-Pierre is already well known and has conducted briefings and gaggles with the media on numerous occasions since the current administration began.
Psaki reiterated and expanded upon much of what she had already mentioned her thread of tweets before eventually congratulating Jean-Pierre on her promotion to succeed her at the podium full-time beginning next week.
Later during the briefing, at the request of one of the reporters, Jean-Pierre came back to the podium to speak a few words of her own about the staffing news of the day, and the first thing she did was thank Psaki profusely for her friendship and kind introduction.
“And so, it is an honor and a privilege to be behind this podium in about a week or so, when Jen is ready. And that — that is something that I will honor and do my best to represent this President and this First Lady the best that I can, but also the American people,” Jean-Pierre said. “And so, it is — you know, it’s a very emotional day. That’s probably the best way that I can explain it: a very emotional day. And I just appreciate this time and this moment. And I hope that I make people proud.”
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