US President Joe Biden has appointed 44-year-old Karine Jean-Pierre as the next White House press secretary — the first black woman and openly gay person to serve in the role.
The press secretary is responsible for holding daily briefings with journalists and leading a department of more than a dozen staffers who help to address queries from the press.
It is the highest-profile public-facing staff job in the White House, and is crucial to the US government's communications strategy.
So who is Karine Jean-Pierre? And what is she in for under the Biden-Harris administration?
An historic appointment
Ms Jean-Pierre is the first black woman and openly gay person to be appointed White House press secretary, a position first established in 1929.
Dee Dee Meyers became the first woman to take on the role when she took on the job in the 1990s under former US president Bill Clinton.
"This is a historic moment and it's not lost on me," Ms Jean-Pierre said after her appointment was announced.
"It's a very emotional day."
She said she was "still processing" the significance of her appointment, calling it "an honour and privilege to be behind this podium".
Mr Biden has pledged to appoint top officials, cabinet members and judges who reflect the diversity of America, where white people make up less than 60 per cent of the population but have traditionally held most top government jobs.
What experience does Ms Jean-Pierre have?
Ms Jean-Pierre has served as Mr Biden's principal deputy press secretary since his Inauguration Day in January 2021.
She had occasionally taken the lectern in the press briefing room instead of outgoing press secretary Jen Psaki, and more frequently held off-camera "gaggles" with reporters when Mr Biden was travelling on Air Force One.
Ms Jean-Pierre also travelled with Mr Biden to Europe last year and in March instead of Ms Psaki, who tested positive for COVID-19 before both trips.
Before joining Mr Biden's presidential campaign, Ms Jean-Pierre was the chief public affairs officer of the progressive group MoveOn.org and a former political analyst for news organisations NBC and MSNBC.
She also worked in political affairs in the Obama White House and on his re-election campaign.
"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," Mr Biden said in a statement.
Why is the current press secretary leaving?
Ms Psaki is set to leave her post on May 13. She took the position as part of the first all-female presidential communications team when Mr Biden took office.
When she started the job, Ms Psaki, who has two young children, said she aimed to remain in the role for about a year.
She is expected to begin a role with MSNBC later this year.
Ms Psaki has praised Ms Jean-Pierre as a "partner in truth", noting the significance of the history-making appointment.
"Representation matters and she is going to give a voice to so many and show so many what is truly possible when you work hard and dream big," she said.
What challenges is Karine Jean-Pierre facing?
Ms Jean-Pierre takes on the role as the White House faces an uphill battle to help Democrats hold onto the House and Senate in midterm elections this November, and as the administration struggles to address Americans' concerns about soaring inflation and the state of the economy.
She also comes into the job as Mr Biden faces a daunting array of foreign policy challenges, including the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's escalating nuclear testing program.
Mr Biden is set to visit South Korea and Japan later this month, and Europe in June.
ABC/wires
