Jen Psaki, the voice of Joe Biden’s first term, prepares to leave

The US president praises outgoing press secretary for 'returning decency, respect and decorum' to White House briefings

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  White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds her own with a tough press corp. AP

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  Ms Psaki was known for her banter with reporters. AP

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  Ms Psaki introduces Olivia Rodrigo when President Biden and Dr Anthony Fauci hosted the pop star to make the case that vaccines are 'Good 4 U,'' the title of one of her hit songs. Bloomberg

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  Ms Psaki hosts Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in the press room. Reuters

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  Ms Psaki throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

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  Ms Psaki gets a high-five from Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

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  'It is horrifying to see the type of barbaric use of military force to go after innocent civilians in a sovereign country,' Ms Psaki said about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. EPA

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  Ms Psaki often used visual aids in an attempt to simplify Covid-19 statistics. AP

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  Ms Psaki tested positive for coronavirus in March 2022. AP

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  Ms Psaki at the White House as US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the crisis in Afghanistan. Reuters

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  Ms Psaki watches as US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan takes part in a news briefing about the situation in Afghanistan. Reuters

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  Ms Psaki speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington. AP

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  'Storming the Capitol in an attempt to hold the peaceful transition of power is not legitimate political discourse, neither is attacking and injuring over 140 police officers, smashing windows and defiling offices,' Ms Psaki replied when asked about the January 6 Capitol riot. Reuters

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  Ms Psaki said that she is looking forward to more time with her children. AFP

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  Ms Psaki holds a press briefing. Reuters

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  Karine Jean-Pierre, principal deputy press secretary, and Ms Psaki. Bloomberg

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  The passing of the torch. EPA

For nearly two years, White House press secretary Jen Psaki has been the face of the President Joe Biden's administration.

Her daily press briefings have become must-see TV for Washington insiders and the press corps.

Ms Psaki, 43, has guided the administration's messaging and engaged in sometimes comical exchanges with reporters.

But she is leaving at the end of the month, making way for Karine Jean-Pierre, who will be the first black woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community to serve as the White House press secretary.

Mr Biden praised Ms Psaki on Thursday, saying she had returned a sense of normality to the job.

“Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room,” Mr Biden said.

“I want to say thank you to Jen for raising the bar, communicating directly and truthfully to the American people, and keeping her sense of humour while doing so.”

Ms Psaki has been in and out of Democratic politics for most of her adult life and will join MSNBC as a political pundit and host her own show on the streaming service Peacock.

She served as then Senator Barack Obama’s travelling press secretary during the 2008 presidential campaign and then went on to serve in the administration as deputy press secretary and eventually deputy communications director.

Frankly, returning the briefing is something that sends a message to the world that we're not afraid to engage, we're not afraid. We believe in the free press"

Jen Psaki

During President Obama’s second term, she became the State Department’s spokeswoman.

She then went on to work as a commentator on CNN during the presidency of Donald Trump.

When she took on the press secretary role for the Biden administration, Ms Psaki promised to resume daily briefings — something that had ground to a halt under Mr Trump.

“Frankly, returning the briefing is something that sends a message to the world that we're not afraid to engage, we're not afraid. We believe in the free press,” Ms Psaki said.

Many in Washington have praised Ms Psaki's ability at handling tough questions and challenging reporters.

Her sparring matches with Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy often turned bitter, racking up millions of views on social media.

However, on Thursday, the two exchanged rare pleasantries.

Ms Psaki's time as press secretary has not been without incident.

In December, when fielding a question on Covid-19 tests, she sarcastically asked a reporter: “Should we just send one to every American?

“Then what happens if every American has one test? How much does that cost and then what happens after that?”

Two weeks later, the White House provided at home tests to every American who asked for one.

Speaking to broadcaster Chris Wallace on the short-lived CNN+ video streaming service, Ms Psaki admitted that was not her finest moment.

She told Mr Wallace that while should miss the job, she was looking forward to spending more time with her husband and two children.

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  Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks after President Joe Biden announced her as his nominee to the Supreme Court. AP

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  Musician Dave Matthews greets voting rights activist Stacey Abrams during a get-out-the-vote rally. Getty Images / AFP

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  Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is one of the most influential women in health care in the US and the face of government's campaign against Covid-19. AP

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  Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) speaks before the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee in Washington. EPA

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  Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, last year called for the US to provide paid family leave, confessing in an open letter to congressional leaders to feeling overwhelmed by the arrival of her daughter. AFP

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  Queen Elizabeth II sits with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, an advocate for family rights. Getty Images

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  US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hold hands as they walk to board Marine One. Reuters

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  First lady Jill Biden said on International Women's Day: 'Women have never been silent, but women have been silenced. That’s because our voices are powerful.' AP

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  First lady Jill Biden welcomes school children to the White House in Washington to celebrate Valentine's Day. AP

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  Nusrat Jahan Choudhury could potentially be the first Muslim-American woman to serve on the US federal bench. Photo: Nusrat Jahan Choudhury

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  American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Nusrat Choudhury speaks at a news conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via AP

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  USAID chief Samantha Power speaks during a press conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia. AP

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  USAID chief Samantha Power plays the Sri Lankan bat and ball game called Elle with girls at Osmaniay College in Jaffna. AFP

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  Frances Haugen gained international prominence when she became a whistleblower against Facebook. AP

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  Former Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen speaks before a Senate Committee on Commerce. The Washington Post via AP

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  Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines speaks before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in Washington. AP

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  Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines arrives on Capitol Hill. EPA

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  Tahera Rahman made history by being the first TV news reporter to wear the hijab on air back in 2018. Photo: Tahera Rahman

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  Reporter Tahera Rahman preparing for a live shot in Texas. Photo: Tahera Rahman

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  Soledad O'Brien, centre, accepts an award for documentary series 'Black and Missing' at the 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards. Invision / AP