“Since day one, Karine has been a valuable advisor to the President and our entire team here at the White House. Jeff Zients, the president’s chief of staff, emphasized the significance of her counsel in achieving our goals for the American people in the months ahead.”
In 2022, Jean-Pierre made history by being chosen as the press secretary, making her the first Black woman and openly gay individual to assume this position.
In 2022, when announcing Karine Jean-Pierre as press secretary, Biden expressed his long-standing acquaintance and admiration for her, stating that she would serve as a powerful advocate for him and his administration.
Jean-Pierre joins the esteemed ranks of the president’s top confidantes, including senior advisers Mike Donilon, Steve Richetti, and Bruce Reed.
A White House official expressed that her promotion reflects President Biden’s confidence in her abilities and his dedication to seeking guidance from a diverse and inter-generational group of voices.
Jean-Pierre is set to take on her new role with immediate effect. In addition to this, she will continue to fulfill her responsibilities as press secretary until the end of Biden’s administration. Notably, she will be the first press secretary in decades to concurrently hold the position of senior adviser.
The decision also highlights the growing impact of the communications and press departments within the Biden administration. For instance, when former senior adviser Anita Dunn stepped down from her position, Communications Director Ben LaBolt was elevated to the role of senior adviser.