Jan 27 WATCH: Secretary of State Blinken takes U.S. diplomacy helm, vows to revamp State Department By Matthew Lee, Associated Press The Biden administration on Wednesday paused or put under review a wide swath of Trump-era foreign policies as America’s new top diplomat took the helm of the State Department. 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
Dec 10 Watchdog clears Pompeo’s wife of travel ethics charges By Matthew Lee, Associated Press But it also determined that the State Department did not secure proper written approval or documentation for six of Susan Pompeo's eight trips covered by the investigation. Continue reading
Jun 18 State Department official quits over Trump response to racial tensions, report says By Associated Press Mary Elizabeth Taylor, the assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs, said in her resignation letter that Trump's actions "cut sharply against my core values and convictions."… Continue reading
May 29 Democrats expand probe into firing of State Dept. watchdog By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Democrats say they will interview officials who may have information about the ouster of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick. Continue reading
May 20 Watch 5:52 Pompeo says he didn’t know fired IG was investigating him State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was actively investigating Sec. of State Mike Pompeo when he was fired by President Trump recently. It was the latest in a series of IG dismissals sending shockwaves through the watchdog community. On Wednesday,… Continue watching
May 18 Fired watchdog was investigating Saudi arms sale, Democrats say By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Democrats said Monday that ousted Inspector General Steve Linick was probing how the State Department pushed through a $7 billion Saudi arms sale over congressional objections. Continue reading
Jan 23 U.S. imposes visa rules for pregnant women By Matthew Lee, Colleen Long, Associated Press The Trump administration on Thursday published new visa rules aimed at restricting “birth tourism," in which women travel to the United States to give birth so their children can have U.S. citizenship. Continue reading
Jan 22 U.S. to impose visa restrictions for pregnant women By Matthew Lee, Colleen Long, Associated Press The rules would make it more difficult for pregnant women to travel on a tourist visa. Continue reading
Nov 19 U.S. and Australian hostages freed by Taliban in prisoner swap By Kathy Gannon, Associated Press The hostages — American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks — were released in an area of southern Afghanistan heavily controlled by the Taliban, ending more than three years of captivity. Continue reading