Ethics watchdog says Karine Jean-Pierre's CNN journalist partner could be a ...

An ethics group is doubling down on their calls for the Biden White House to be the 'most transparent in history' by releasing all ethics documents relating to new press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and her conversations with ethics officials over potential conflicts of interest with her CNN journalist partner.

Karine Jean-Pierre, 44, who takes over from Jen Psaki on May 13 after serving as her deputy, is a partner of CNN's national correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, 55, and the pair share a seven-year-old daughter, Soleil. 

There are now questions over whether the network embroiled in months of scandal will offer impartial coverage and there is still mounting criticism over Psaki's potential move to MSNBC when she leaves the White House as press secretary next week. 

Michael Chamberlain, Director of ethics watchdog Protect the Public's Trust, told DailyMail.com on Friday: 'Restrictions regarding conflicts of interest for political appointees are imputed on the appointee’s spouse. 

'Regardless of the legal status of her relationship with Malveaux, given Jean-Pierre’s unique role with the media, this certainly presents the appearance of a potential conflict of interest. 

'If the Biden Administration is going to be true to their pledges to be the most ethical and most transparent in history, they should feel an obligation to go beyond the minimum legal requirements for disclosure and release all of Ms. Jean-Pierre’s ethics documents as well as the related conversations with ethics officials. 

'Protect the Public’s Trust called for this transparency with respect to Ms. Psaki’s post-government employment search as well.'

While the trailblazing and historic nature of her appointment was being celebrated by many - Jean-Pierre is the first black woman and first openly gay person to do the job - others were alarmed by conflicts of interest.

The network has had to weather the firing of Chris Cuomo in December over his involvement in brother Andrew Cuomo's sex harassment scandal and then two months later dumped network president Jeff Zucker over his secret romance with CNN co-worker Allison Gollust.

Juwan Holmes, associate editor of the online magazine LGBTQ Nation, spent the last two years writing about Jean-Pierre's work, and said he anticipated the concern.

'I'm sure there won't be Cuomo-level conflict of interest violations but expect it to have it bought up in the future…' he said.

Others quickly slammed the network. 

'This is one of many examples of the corporate media LITERALLY in bed with the government it covers,' tweeted Alex Marlow, editor-in-chief of Breitbart. 

Malveaux, who joined CNN in 2002, and Jean-Pierre are familiar faces on the DC scene - most recently attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner together on Saturday night.

The pair met in 2012 at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

Psaki admitted she was struggling to fight back tears as she introduced Jean-Pierre as her successor, calling her her 'partner in truth'.

'I'm going to cry', an emotional Psaki said at the start of her briefing on Thursday as she brought her successor up to the podium and hugged her. 

'I just want to take the opportunity to celebrate and congratulate my friend, my colleague, my partner in truth Karine Jean-Pierre, the next White House Press Secretary,' Psaki said.

Fox News' Peter Doocy then said he will miss his favorite sparring partner Psaki in the briefing room. She dryly responded by saying: 'Will you?'

Psaki refused to comment on her future amid speculation she will likely head to MSNBC, and said she is only looking forward to 'sleeping' and 'reading books'. 

She then asked reporters for Netflix suggestions. 

'Karine not only brings the experience, talent and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people,' Biden said in a statement.

Biden said he and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden 'have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.'

He went on to praise Psaki' for 'returning decency' to the White House briefing room in what appears to be a veiled jab at the Trump administration's more combative relationship with the press. 

'Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room,' 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 humor while doing so.'

Another asked: 'What is the name of the Universe where this is not a Conflict of Interest?'

'I thank Jen her service to the country, and wish her the very best as she moves forward.'

The Columbia University grad was born in Martinique, and served as chief of staff to now-Vice President Kamala Harris on the Biden campaign. 

Jean-Pierre also worked in the Obama administration as Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs, and on both of Barack Obama's presidential campaigns. 

Before joining Biden's presidential bid she was an MSNBC and NBC political analyst and held roles at MoveON.org and the American Civil Liberties Union. 

Psaki lauded Jean-Pierre's historic appointment in a statement on Twitter. 

'She will be the first black woman and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as the White House Press Secretary. Representation matters and she will give a voice to many, but also make many dream big about what is truly possible,' the outgoing press secretary said. 

Psaki said Jean-Pierre has 'decades of experience from her early years working in government and politics in NYC, to her years as an outspoken advocate, to serving as a long-time advisor to [Biden] back when he was the VP.'

'She is passionate. She is smart and she has a moral core that makes her not just a great colleague, but an amazing Mom and human. Plus, she has a great sense of humor,' Psaki praised. 

Jean-Pierre has stepped in for Psaki at the podium multiple times in the first part of Biden's administration - perhaps most notably when the press secretary was out after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Along with her new promotion, the White House also announced Thursday that former senior Biden adviser Anita Dunn would be returning to the administration in the same role. 

Dunn left the White House in August 2021. She is also an Obama veteran, having served in the role of acting communications director in the former president's administration in 2009.

Psaki, for her own part, has kept mum over her future job prospects - presumably for ethical reasons. 

When asked about potential ethical concerns about her reportedly joining MSNBC while still at the podium, Psaki said during an April 1 briefing that she has 'abided' by any and all ethics guidelines without confirming the report.  

'Well, there are a range of stringent ethical and legal requirements that are imposed on everybody in this administration and many administrations past about any conversations you're having with future employers,' she deflected at the time.

'That is true of any industry you're working in. And I have abided by those, and tried to take steps to go beyond that as well.' 

She added, fresh off a stint of isolation due to COVID: 'I have nothing to confirm about my length of public service or planned service, or anything about consideration about next plans. I'm very happy to be standing with all of you here today after it felt like a never ending endless time in my basement quarantining away from my family.' 

Other names that were potentially floated to replace Psaki are Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, State Department spokesman Ned Price and Communications Director Kate Bedingfield.

Jean-Pierre takes on

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