Later, Earnest was promoted and served as principal deputy White House press secretary and chief of staff to Jay Carney, occasionally filling in during press briefings.
Selanjutnya, Earnest dipromosikan dan dipekerjakan sebagai Ketua Deputi Sekretaris Pers Gedung Putih dan Kepala Staff untuk Jay Carney, terkadang pula ia mengisi pertemuan pers.