New Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Makes History at 1st White House Briefing!

Karine Jean-Pierre is officially the first Black and first openly gay White House press secretary in American history.

On Monday afternoon, Jean-Pierre stood behind the podium at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, days after incumbent Jen Psaki conducted her last briefing on Friday.

“I am obviously acutely aware that my presence at this podium represents a few firsts,” Jean-Pierre told reporters. “I am a Black gay immigrant woman — the first of all three of those to hold this position. I would not be here today if not for generations of barrier-breaking people before me. I stand on their shoulders.”

Despite her feat, Jean-Pierre made it known that the White House and the press briefing room belong to the American people and that she works “for them.”

“It’s not about me. It’s about them,” she said, before pledging to give the public “truth, honesty, and transparency.”

Jean-Pierre also spoke of her “tremendous respect” for journalists and their “vital role in our democracy.”

“We need a strong and independent press now more than ever,” she said. “We might not see eye to eye here in this room all the time, which is okay. That give-and-take is so incredibly healthy and it’s a part of our democracy, and I look forward to engaging with all of you on that.”

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced that Jean-Pierre would become the new press secretary, as well as an assistant.

“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,” President Biden said in a statement.

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

Prior to working on Biden’s campaign, Jean-Pierre was the chief public affairs officer of the progressive group MoveOn and a political analyst for NBC and MSNBC.

She also worked on political affairs in President Barack Obama’s White House and on his reelection campaign, as well as numerous other Democratic political campaigns.

Her partner, journalist Suzanne Malveaux, works for CNN.

Congratulations to Karine on making history!

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