Jean-Pierre will also be the first openly gay person to have the most visible post at the White House aside from the president.

Transcript

A MARTINEZ, HOST:

The next White House press secretary will be Karine Jean-Pierre, replacing Jen Psaki, who will leave the post later this month. With her elevation from deputy, Jean-Pierre will make history several times over. NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith reports.

TAMARA KEITH, BYLINE: Jean-Pierre will be the first Black secretary as well as the first openly gay person in the role.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: I am still processing it.

KEITH: Jean-Pierre stepped up to the iconic press briefing room podium yesterday, sharing a quick reaction to her appointment.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

JEAN-PIERRE: This is a historic moment, and it's not lost on me. I understand how important it is for so many people out there, so many different communities that I stand on their shoulders.

KEITH: Psaki, the current press secretary, teared up, holding Jean-Pierre's hand.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

JEN PSAKI: Representation matters. And she will give a voice to so many and allow and show so many what is truly possible when you work hard and dream big. And that matters.

KEITH: Jean-Pierre was born in Martinique, raised in New York and has had a long career working in Democratic politics and on progressive causes. She has briefed the press several times over the past year, including when Psaki was out with COVID and including on some very rough days for the administration. At her first briefing in May of last year, Jean-Pierre pledged always to be truthful and transparent.

Tamara Keith, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.