In two addresses at the United States State Department, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary of State Blinken sought to assure staff of their mission to repair the damage caused by four years of Donald Trump's mismanagement of most foreign policy initiatives and handling of vital personnel.
Speaking to Foreign Service Personnel.
In their first joint address to Foreign Service Personnel, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Blinken stressed their commitment to a strong National Foreign Policy and an appreciation for what all that the members of the United States Foreign Service do to advance American Diplomacy.
Vice President Harris cited the linkage between American Foreign and Domestic policy, relaying:
"Today, we are here in person to tell you that we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability, inclusivity, and diplomacy...Our foreign and domestic imperatives are intrinsically linked. Everything you do, every policy you advance, every partnership you forge makes a difference in the lives of everyday Americans. At the same time, our strength in the world depends on your strength and our strength here at home. And that is why we are working to reinforce our democracy, to rescue our nation from this pandemic, to rebuild our economy, to confront racial injustice, and to combat climate change. The world is counting on us. And we as a nation must show both our allies and our adversaries that America will deliver. It’s time to deliver."
President Biden followed Vice President Harris and expressed his appreciation for the Foreign Service staff, saying:
"Those of you who are stationed overseas and have been stationed overseas, you’re America’s face. You’re what people see in the country you are. They look at you, you are the face of America. And it matters. It matters a great deal how you comport yourself and how you deal with the folks that you’re dealing with in that particular country. I find that many of you among the most, and by the way, I think what we don’t do enough, we don’t thank your families. We don’t thank your families for the sacrifices they make. They make real sacrifices. I don’t know how many times I have moved again, moved to see to it that your spouses, they give up their careers many times to follow you. Many times, their careers are as consequential or more consequential than yours, but they do it for the country. And they’re to be thanked. But the main message that I want to communicate to you all is that whether you’re part of the newest class of foreign service officers or you’ve worked for decades in the civil service or foreign service or you’re locally employed staff, you’re vital in the success. The strength of our nation depends in no small part on you."
President Biden Outlines American Foreign Policy Priorities in a Second State Department Speech.
Declaring that "America is back. America is back. Diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy," President Biden outlined several priorities for American Foreign Policy in the Biden/Harris Administration. These include:
- Combatting the spread of authoritarianism (like in Burma) and defending human rights and freedom.
- Checking Chinese "ambitions." To be fair, the President did not make any mention of the plight of the Uighurs and the concentration camps they have been placed in. That is a mistake.
- Fight back against Russia's attempts to hack American Democracy and persecute its own citizens.
- Fighting climate change and nuclear proliferation.
- Restoring goodwill with American Allies.
- Stopping the Trump ordered troop withdrawal from Germany (sorry Vlad.)
- Halting military aid to Saudi Arabia in the war in Yemen and appointing a special envoy to intercede in that conflict.
- Restoring the Refugee Program that Trump destroyed.
- Protect LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers as well as across all Departments.
- Linking Domestic Initiatives like Build Back Better and the American Rescue/Recovery Plans to Foreign Policy goals.
President Biden concluded his address, repeating that American Global Leadership had returned, stating:
"The leadership of the diplomats of every stripe doing the daily work of engagement created the very idea of a free and interconnected world. We are a country that does big things. American diplomacy makes it happen. And our administration is ready to take up the mantle and lead once again. Thank you all and may God bless you and protect our troops and our diplomats and our development experts and all Americans serving in harm’s way. Going this way. Thank you all."
Please click here and here for transcripts of both Biden/Harris addresses at the State Department.
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