New White House spokeswoman Caryn Jean-Pierre began her first full week at work on Monday.

She is the first black woman and the first openly LGBTQ to perform this role, and has long been a counselor to Biden. She has also served several roles in the Obama administration.

Jean-Pierre was White House Deputy Spokesman Jen Psaki before taking up the new post.

Psaki emotionally said goodbye to the White House and the press on Friday on his last day as President Joe Biden’s spokesman.

Psaki leaves the White House after answering questions from reporters almost every weekday for nearly 500 days of President Biden’s tenure.

Psaki told reporters Friday that when she was hired, she and President Biden discussed “the importance of returning honesty, respect and civilization to the White House.”

“That doesn’t mean we haven’t allowed our Irish side, mine and the president, to show from time to time. I admit it. But in my best days and looking back, I hope I followed the example of the integrity and grace they set for all of us and do it for all of us every day, ”she said.

Psaki also thanked the press service for working to keep democracy in the country alive and well.

“I want to thank all of you in this room. You challenged me. You pushed me. You discussed me. And sometimes we broke up. It’s democracy in action. It works. Without responsibility, without debate, the government is not so strong,” she said. she.

Jean-Pierre takes office at a time when President Biden’s approval rating has fallen to a new low.

According to a poll conducted by NBC News, only 39% of Americans approve of the work done by the president.

Additional information The Associated Press.

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