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

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

Ms Psaki was known for her banter with reporters. AP

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

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

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

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

'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

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

Ms Psaki tested positive for coronavirus in March 2022. AP

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

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

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

'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

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

Ms Psaki holds a press briefing. Reuters

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

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.

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.