John Kerry plucks new spokesman from military

Former Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby is retiring from the military service to join the State Department, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Secretary of State John Kerry handpicked Kirby as State’s new spokesman, the Associated Press reported. Kerry chose the admiral on account of his robust foreign policy experience and knowledge, it added.

Officials speaking on the condition of anonymity told the AP That Kirby’s transfer paperwork is still being processed, and that be would not begin formal briefings for State until his military retirement is official.

Kirby would replace departing State spokeswoman Jen Psaki, who left the department last month to become the White House’s communications director.

Psaki previously served as a traveling spokeswoman for President Obama’s first campaign and then as deputy communications director after his election. She was part of his 2012 reelection campaign as secretary.

“Seeing a group of your friends and peers grow through stages of life while you’re all a part of this historic piece … that’s something I think we’ve all thought about too,” Psaki said on March 25.

Psaki’s return to President Obama’s staff comes as she prepares for the birth of her first child. The mother-to-be is expecting a girl in June.

“Many people, I think, thought I was a little crazy, that I took this job at the White House when I expecting my first child,” she said of her decision on March 25.

“They were incredibly open and engaging and really accommodating, and it made me feel like, I can do this,” she said of the White House.

Psaki replaced outgoing White House spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri, who joined 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

AP also said that acting State spokeswoman Marie Harf might remain at State to handle press duties on the Iranian nuclear talks.

The Obama administration is trying to settle on a final agreement with Tehran over its nuclear energy research by a June 30 final deadline.