Obama picks State Department spokeswoman to head White House Communications

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki will become President Barack Obama's new communications director, the White House said Thursday.

Psaki, who was part of Obama's campaign team in 2007, when she was traveling press secretary during Obama's first presidential campaign, will 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 will start her new job on April 1. Endite