Reactions From President-Elect @JoeBiden’s Nominees

November 24, 2020 By domani spero in Biden, Federal Agencies, Nominations, State Department, Top Ranks, UN Tags: @ABlinken, @JohnKerry, Alejandro Mayorkas, Avril Haines, Biden Nominations, DHS, DNI, Jake Sullivan, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, NSA

Linda! Reunited! You will be as amazing in Turtle Bay as you were in Foggy Bottom. You really are the best of the Foreign Service and the best of America. https://t.co/taEubRED9t

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) November 23, 2020

America will soon have a government that treats the climate crisis as the urgent national security threat it is. I'm proud to partner with the President-elect, our allies, and the young leaders of the climate movement to take on this crisis as the President's Climate Envoy.

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) November 23, 2020

The messages from friends and colleagues that I’ve received over the past 15 hours have been humbling.

Honored to announce, officially, that I have been nominated to serve as Secretary of State. If confirmed, this is a mission I will take on with my full heart.

— Antony Blinken (@ABlinken) November 23, 2020

My mother taught me to lead with the power of kindness and compassion to make the world a better place. I’ve carried that lesson with me throughout my career in Foreign Service – and, if confirmed, will do the same as Ambassador to the United Nations.

— Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@LindaT_G) November 23, 2020

When I was very young, the United States provided my family and me a place of refuge. Now, I have been nominated to be the DHS Secretary and oversee the protection of all Americans and those who flee persecution in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.

— Alejandro Mayorkas (@AliMayorkas) November 23, 2020

President-elect Biden taught me what it takes to safeguard our national security at the highest levels of our government. Now, he has asked me to serve as his National Security Advisor. In service, I will do everything in my power to keep our country safe.

— Jake Sullivan (@jakejsullivan) November 23, 2020

Get yourself a DNI who…

–is a brown belt in judo
–built a plane, married her flying instructor, flew across the Atlantic
–became a bookstore owner/community activist
–nerds out on treaties
–is the nicest human alivehttps://t.co/qaBocU6uSx https://t.co/TrrjdC5JC4

— Zev Karlin-Neumann (@zkarlinn) November 23, 2020

GSA’s Emily Murphy Finally Signs Off on Official #BidenTransition

November 24, 2020 By domani spero in Biden, Federal Agencies, Hotspots, Trump Tags: Emily Murphy, GSA, Letter of Ascertainment, Transition46

https://t.co/6aIgLN2bMk

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 24, 2020

NBC News just posted: The Letter of Ascertainment from GSA Administrator Emily Murphy. @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/EYMjzZf9lL

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 23, 2020

On the left:

GSA Emily Murphy: "I came to my decision independently."

On the right:

Trump: "I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done…" pic.twitter.com/4ijcUGjyCn

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) November 23, 2020

In 1992, 2008, and 2016, GSA released transition resources well before many states had officially certified their results. Emily Murphy's stonewalling is baseless.https://t.co/rBTq8e6NhP

— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) November 21, 2020

It’s Official: @Transition46 Announces Blinken, Mayorkas, Thomas-Greenfield, Haines, Sullivan, and @JohnKerry

November 23, 2020 By domani spero in Biden, Public Service, Secretary of State, State Department, Top Ranks, US Presidents Tags: A-Team, Biden Nominations, Transition46

The Biden-Harris Transition announced today President-Elect Joe Biden’s intent to nominate the following for his foreign policy and national security teams. All will require Senate confirmation except NSA Jake Sullivan and former Secretary of State John Kerry who will be the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

Antony Blinken, a former Deputy Secretary of State, will be nominated to serve as Secretary of State having previously held top foreign affairs posts on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and in the State Department.
Alejandro Mayorkas, a former Deputy Secretary of DHS, who has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate three times throughout his career, will be the first Latino and immigrant nominated to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service who has served on four continents, will be nominated to serve as United Nations Ambassador and elevated the role to his Cabinet.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry will fight climate change full-time as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and will sit on the National Security Council. This marks the first time that the NSC will include an official dedicated to climate change, reflecting the president-elect’s commitment to addressing climate change as an urgent national security issue.
Avril Haines, a former Deputy Director of the CIA and Deputy National Security Advisor, will be nominated to serve as Director of National Intelligence and will be the first woman to lead the intelligence community.
Jake Sullivan has been appointed National Security Advisor and will be one of the youngest people to serve in that role in decades.

President-Elect @JoeBiden to Name Aide and Former State/D Tony Blinken as 71st Secretary of State

November 23, 2020 By domani spero in Secretary of State, State Department, Transition Tags: 71st, @ABlinken, Antony Blinken, Biden

BREAKING: Joe Biden intends to name Tony Blinken to lead the State Department, people familiar said. https://t.co/ePOw4VYrY7

— Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) November 23, 2020

Breaking News: President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Antony Blinken, a defender of global alliances and a close adviser, as secretary of state. https://t.co/IzeynG9AUH

— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 23, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden to nominate Antony Blinken as secretary of state https://t.co/WwyZ3x2HZM

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 23, 2020

Biden once told me “Tony Blinken is a superstar and that’s not hyperbole." He joked that Obama "recognized that after four years with me and stole him.” Blinken, he added, “could do any job, any job.”https://t.co/THKykup31s

— Jason Horowitz (@jasondhorowitz) November 23, 2020

Told ⁦@FinancialTimes @ABlinken⁩ «was an American in Paris & both terms are key. He was very conscious of being an American & believed in US values but also understood how US policy affects rest of world bc he witnessed how others view America »
https://t.co/wSSt3ugANp

— Robert Malley (@Rob_Malley) November 23, 2020

Nothing helps a Secretary of State succeed more than the perception that he/she is close to the president (See Baker:GHWB and Rice:GWB.) Blinken is so close to Biden that world leaders will have little doubt that he speaks for the president and they can rely on his commitments.

— Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) November 23, 2020

President-Elect @JoeBiden to Name Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as UN Ambassador

November 23, 2020 By domani spero in Ambassadors, Biden, FSOs, State Department, UN Tags: Biden, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, USUN

We are confirming reports that Linda Thomas-Greenfield will be Biden's nominee for ambassador to UN, per people familiar. It will delight rank-and-file at State that a veteran diplomat is named and will be sad face for Mayor Pete fans who hoped he'd get it https://t.co/VLexlPpsMi

— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) November 23, 2020

BREAKING: Biden expected to announce Linda Thomas Greenfield as U.N. ambassador https://t.co/uNG3Jmn6Ub pic.twitter.com/6BGiyBV8uF

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 23, 2020

If true, amazing news! Amb. @LindaT_G is a diplomatic powerhouse respected around the world. I’ve witnessed her getting human rights activists freed and kleptocrats held accountable. https://t.co/QYNXWogygN

— Tom Perriello (@tomperriello) November 23, 2020

Thoughts on the reported choice of @LindaT_G as next @USUN ambassador.

Given her strong record on African affairs @StateDept, she is superbly-placed to rectify a sense of drift in US engagement on #Africa @UN since @NikkiHaley arrived in 2017. [1/6] https://t.co/I2Z7c3TH1F

— Richard Gowan (@RichardGowan1) November 23, 2020

If true @LindaT_G Thomas-Greenfield to be our next Ambassador to the UN, first career diplomat since Negroponte in 2001.Great news for professional diplomacy, the UN and – I give up, too many reasons to cite. Great, great choice.

— Laura Kennedy (@AmbKennedy_ret) November 23, 2020

Pompeo: Congratulations to you, and you , and you, but NOT you President-Elect @JoeBiden

November 23, 2020 By domani spero in Elections, Foreign Affairs, Mike Pompeo, Pompeo, Real Post of the Month, Secretary of State, Spectacular, State Department, Trends, Trump Tags: hypocrisy, Michael R. Pompeo

Pleased to congratulate Surangel Whipps Jr. on his election as the tenth President of the Republic of Palau, as well as the people of Palau for carrying out the democratic process.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 21, 2020

Not sure how you say hypocrite in Georgian?

64 days until we have an Admin with credibility on democracy promotion. https://t.co/JLtOq9i4m7

— Sam Vinograd (@sam_vinograd) November 18, 2020

Finally, a way to tell the state and country apart pic.twitter.com/GN74FIXuwK

— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) November 18, 2020

Sec. Pompeo calls for respecting elections abroad while ignoring President-elect Biden’s victory. https://t.co/geGi2bkJA0

— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 15, 2020

We commend the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their free and fair elections, and we congratulate Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves on his reelection. Looking forward to our continued work together to create a safer, more prosperous Caribbean region.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 13, 2020

Burma's election marks an important step in the country's democratic transition. However, we are concerned by problems in the electoral process. We stand with the people of Burma — including those barred from voting in this election — as they seek to exercise their rights.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 9, 2020

Former Nicaraguan President Aleman’s corrupt acts undermined democratic institutions in Nicaragua. I am publicly designating Aleman and his immediate family members as ineligible for entry into the United States. We remain #UnitedAgainstCorruption with our partners in Nicaragua.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 9, 2020

Pleased to congratulate Bolivian President-elect @LuchoXBolivia and discuss opportunities to build on the U.S.-Bolivia bilateral relationship. Bolivia plays an important role in supporting a prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 4, 2020

Laurence Pope, Veteran Diplomat and Friend of the Blog Dies at 75

November 19, 2020 By domani spero in Ambassadors, Foreign Service, FSOs Tags: Laurence Pope, obituaries and condolences

Via WaPo:

“Laurence Pope, a veteran diplomat and counterterrorism expert who came out of retirement to serve as the top U.S. envoy to Libya weeks after the 2012 attack that killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, died Oct. 31 at his home in Portland, Maine. He was 75. The cause was pancreatic cancer, said his wife, Elizabeth Pope.”

Larry passed away in the arms of his loving family. We are sending our condolences to his wife Betsy and their girls, and to friends who are mourning this loss. Larry was also a friend of the blog, he will be missed.

Laurence Pope, veteran diplomat and top envoy to Libya after Benghazi attack, dies at 75. “In my 40 years’ experience in the military, I didn’t see a finer political adviser,” said retired General Anthony Zinni: https://t.co/l4brrDxGSw

— Harrison Smith (@harrisondsmith) November 17, 2020

Diplomacy in the Age of Trump: read this new, 2-part blog post by Laurence Pope, former US Ambassador, Political Advisor to C-in-C Central Command, and Diplo Senior Fellow. https://t.co/RghMrGkUNS

— DiploFoundation (@DiplomacyEdu) December 11, 2017

An interview with former ambassador to Libya Laurence Pope '67, who returned to U.S. on January 5: http://t.co/BVsNuQ5e

— The Bowdoin Orient (@bowdoinorient) January 26, 2013

FSN Recognition Day: Gratefulness and Celebration, So Now They’ll Finally Get an Ombudsman?

November 19, 2020 By domani spero in Foreign Service, Locally Employed Staff, Realities of the FS, Social Media, Staffing the FS, State Department Tags: FSNs, LES/FSN Recognition Day, Locally Employed Staff

Grateful for the work of our locally employed staff overseas, who serve alongside American diplomats and other officials. On Locally Employed Staff/Foreign Service National Day, we thank you for your invaluable knowledge, effort, and dedication. #OneTeamOneMission pic.twitter.com/z0cJtnfdUr

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 18, 2020

On Locally Employed Staff/Foreign Service National Recognition Day, the State Department celebrates the work, dedication, commitment, and knowledge of the Department's 56,000 LE staff, who work to advance U.S. foreign policy in every corner of the world. #WeAreStateDept pic.twitter.com/3WPJUGkEZB

— Department of State (@StateDept) November 18, 2020

On Locally Employed Staff/Foreign Service National Recognition Day, we recognize all our locally employed colleagues who serve alongside American diplomats around the world, working to advance U.S. foreign policy. We are grateful for your expertise and dedication every day. pic.twitter.com/EqDNJ3kbQV

— Carol Z. Perez (@StateDG) November 18, 2020

Just Security: How to Restore Ethics to @StateDept

November 19, 2020 By domani spero in Mike Pompeo, Realities of the FS, State Department, Top Ranks, Trends, Trump Tags: Ethics, State Department

How to Restore Ethics to the U.S. Department of State

By Donald K. Sherman (@donaldonethics), Deputy Director @CREWcrew

▪️Bringing accountability for past ethical abuses
▪️Building infrastructure to prevent future abuses@StateDept #ethics #corruption https://t.co/PJN5ibD3TT

— Just Security (@just_security) November 13, 2020

Confirmations: Kenna, Vajda, Higgins, Maloney, Story, McCarthy and 4 Foreign Service Lists

November 19, 2020 By domani spero in Ambassadors, Confirmations, Foreign Service, State Department, U.S. Senate Tags: ambassadors, confirmations, FS lists, Trump Nominations

The U.S. Senate has adjourned with only pro forma sessions and no vote expected until Nov. 30. Prior to leaving town, it confirmed six ambassador nominations and four Foreign Service lists on November 18, 2020. The newly confirmed ambassadors are all career members of the Foreign Service but we expect that they would still submit courtesy resignations, as often the case, when the new Biden Administration takes office on January 20.

PERU: Executive Calendar #801, Lisa S. Kenna, of Vermont, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Peru.

BURMA: Executive Calendar #877, Thomas Laszlo Vajda, of Arizona, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of Burma.

BURUNDI: Executive Calendar #879, Melanie Harris Higgins, of Georgia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Burundi.

ESWATINI: Executive Calendar #880, Jeanne Marie Maloney, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

VENEZUELA: Executive Calendar #882, James Broward Story, of South Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

LIBERIA: Executive Calendar #884, Michael A. McCarthy, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Liberia.

Diplopundit

Monthly Archives: November 2020

Reactions From President-Elect @JoeBiden’s Nominees

GSA’s Emily Murphy Finally Signs Off on Official #BidenTransition

It’s Official: @Transition46 Announces Blinken, Mayorkas, Thomas-Greenfield, Haines, Sullivan, and @JohnKerry

Antony Blinken, a former Deputy Secretary of State, will be nominated to serve as Secretary of State having previously held top foreign affairs posts on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and in the State Department.

Alejandro Mayorkas, a former Deputy Secretary of DHS, who has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate three times throughout his career, will be the first Latino and immigrant nominated to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service who has served on four continents, will be nominated to serve as United Nations Ambassador and elevated the role to his Cabinet.

Avril Haines, a former Deputy Director of the CIA and Deputy National Security Advisor, will be nominated to serve as Director of National Intelligence and will be the first woman to lead the intelligence community.

Jake Sullivan has been appointed National Security Advisor and will be one of the youngest people to serve in that role in decades.

Read more here.

President-Elect @JoeBiden to Name Aide and Former State/D Tony Blinken as 71st Secretary of State

President-Elect @JoeBiden to Name Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as UN Ambassador

Pompeo: Congratulations to you, and you , and you, but NOT you President-Elect @JoeBiden

Laurence Pope, Veteran Diplomat and Friend of the Blog Dies at 75

Via WaPo:

Larry passed away in the arms of his loving family. We are sending our condolences to his wife Betsy and their girls, and to friends who are mourning this loss. Larry was also a friend of the blog, he will be missed.

Just Security: How to Restore Ethics to @StateDept

Confirmations: Kenna, Vajda, Higgins, Maloney, Story, McCarthy and 4 Foreign Service Lists

PERU: Executive Calendar #801, Lisa S. Kenna, of Vermont, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Peru.

BURMA: Executive Calendar #877, Thomas Laszlo Vajda, of Arizona, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of Burma.

BURUNDI: Executive Calendar #879, Melanie Harris Higgins, of Georgia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Burundi.

ESWATINI: Executive Calendar #880, Jeanne Marie Maloney, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

VENEZUELA: Executive Calendar #882, James Broward Story, of South Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

LIBERIA: Executive Calendar #884, Michael A. McCarthy, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Liberia.

FOREIGN SERVICE LISTS:

PN 2074

PN2174

PN 2075

PN 1704-2 (inadvertent typo corrected for TAGS)

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Antony Blinken, a former Deputy Secretary of State, will be nominated to serve as Secretary of State having previously held top foreign affairs posts on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and in the State Department.

Alejandro Mayorkas, a former Deputy Secretary of DHS, who has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate three times throughout his career, will be the first Latino and immigrant nominated to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service who has served on four continents, will be nominated to serve as United Nations Ambassador and elevated the role to his Cabinet.

Avril Haines, a former Deputy Director of the CIA and Deputy National Security Advisor, will be nominated to serve as Director of National Intelligence and will be the first woman to lead the intelligence community.

Jake Sullivan has been appointed National Security Advisor and will be one of the youngest people to serve in that role in decades.

Read more here.

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Via WaPo:

Larry passed away in the arms of his loving family. We are sending our condolences to his wife Betsy and their girls, and to friends who are mourning this loss. Larry was also a friend of the blog, he will be missed.

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PERU: Executive Calendar #801, Lisa S. Kenna, of Vermont, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Peru.

BURMA: Executive Calendar #877, Thomas Laszlo Vajda, of Arizona, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of Burma.

BURUNDI: Executive Calendar #879, Melanie Harris Higgins, of Georgia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Burundi.

ESWATINI: Executive Calendar #880, Jeanne Marie Maloney, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

VENEZUELA: Executive Calendar #882, James Broward Story, of South Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

LIBERIA: Executive Calendar #884, Michael A. McCarthy, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Liberia.

FOREIGN SERVICE LISTS:

PN 1704-2 (inadvertent typo corrected for TAGS)

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