Aug 19 WATCH: State Department’s Ned Price says U.S. struggling to speed Kabul airlift amid hurdles By Associated Press The United States struggled Thursday to pick up the pace of American and Afghan evacuations at Kabul airport, constrained by obstacles ranging from armed Taliban checkpoints to paperwork problems. Continue reading
Apr 16 State Department watchdog says Pompeo, wife violated ethics rules By Matthew Lee, Associated Press It recommended that the State Department clarify its policies to better define tasks that are inappropriate for staffers and make it easier to report alleged violations. The department accepted all recommendations in its response to the report. Continue reading
Mar 02 WATCH: State Department spokesperson Ned Price gives news briefing By Associated Press The U.S. State Department says the latest sanctions against Russian officials send a clear signal that there are consequences for their behavior. Continue reading
Feb 18 State Department scrambles to distribute scarce COVID-19 doses to diplomats By Ali Rogin The State Department has so far received less than a quarter of the 315,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses it requested for employees in the United States and worldwide. Continue reading
Feb 11 WATCH: U.S. sides with Britain on China’s BBC ban By Associated Press "The (People's Republic of China) maintains one of the most controlled, most oppressive, least free information spaces in the world," he said. Continue reading
Feb 04 WATCH: Biden signals that U.S. will refocus on diplomacy abroad By Matthew Lee, Aamer Madhani, Darlene Superville, Associated Press “America is back. Diplomacy is back,” Biden said in brief remarks to the State Department staff. "You are the center of all that I intend to do. You are the heart of it. We’re going to rebuild our alliances”… Continue reading
Jan 15 Biden team says recent Trump foreign policy moves ‘feel like sabotage’ By Nick Schifrin Up until now, Biden transition officials had shied away from publicly criticizing recent policy changes, but in an exclusive conversation with the PBS NewsHour, a transition official detailed a number of issues with the outgoing administration’s approach, singling out Secretary… Continue reading
Jan 11 State Department investigating change to Trump’s bio page By Matthew Lee, Associated Press A change to Donald Trump’s bio on the department's website said the president's term ended Monday, raising questions and creating an internet frenzy. Continue reading
Sep 16 WATCH: State denies improper inspector general firing, defends Saudi arms sales By Laurie Kellman, Associated Press The State Department on Wednesday rejected Democrats' charges of improperly firing its independent inspector general and defended its weapons sales to Saudi Arabia. Continue reading
Aug 05 State Department watchdog resigns after predecessor’s ouster By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Akard's resignation also comes just two days after Democrats issued subpoenas for several of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's top aides to answer questions about the shakeup in the watchdog's office. Continue reading