Obama picks Jen Psaki to head White House Communications

Washington, Feb 20
US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki will become President Barack Obama's new communications director, the White House said.

Psaki, who was part of Obama's campaign team in 2007, when she was traveling press secretary during Obama's first presidential campaign, would replace Jennifer Palmieri, who is leaving the White House to join Hillary Clinton's most likely presidential campaign.

In a statement, Obama praised Psaki as a "brilliant and effective communications director and trusted adviser."

Psaki would start her new job from April