Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday assumed duty as the new White House press secretary, acknowledging the historic nature of her role and pledging to maintain a transparent dialogue.
Ms Jean-Pierre, 44-year-old daughter of Haitian immigrants, made history as the first black woman as she took over from Jen Psaki. Her father worked as a New York City taxi driver.
“I am obviously acutely aware that my presence at this podium represents a few firsts,” Ms Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing.
“I am a Black, immigrant woman, the first of all three of those to hold this position. I would not be here today if it were not for generations of barrier-breaking people before me. I stand on their shoulders.”
Ms Jean-Pierre vowed to “work every day to continue to ensure meeting the president’s high expectation of truth, honesty and transparency.”
“I also have tremendous respect for the work that you all do, which I know it’s not easy,” she…
