Tag Archives: State Department

Richard Grenell Claims GOP And Christian Groups Back Campaign To Decriminalize Homosexuality Worldwide

NBC News reports: U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell says the Trump administration has strong backing at home from Republicans and even religious conservatives for its push to end laws that criminalize homosexuality in foreign countries, telling NBC News that he’s “wildly supported by both parties.” In an exclusive interview in Berlin, Grenell says he has no concerns that the …

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WH Aides Again Discuss Ivanka As UN Ambassador

Bloomberg reports: President Donald Trump is considering four people to be his next UN ambassador: Goldman Sachs Group Inc. partner Dina Powell, the current ambassadors to Canada and Germany, Kelly Craft and Richard Grenell, and John James, a former Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Michigan, according to people familiar with the matter. The people asked not to be identified because …

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State Dept Spox Heather Nauert Withdraws From UN Ambassador Consideration Over Issues With Nanny

The Washington Post reports: President Trump’s pick to be the next United Nations ambassador withdrew from consideration Saturday, the State Department said. The department’s spokeswoman, Heather Nauert, had been tapped to succeed Nikki Haley at the United Nations, but her name was never formally sent to the Senate for confirmation. The withdrawal is related to the employment of a nanny …

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State Department Hires Former Fox News Reporter To Head Counter-Propaganda And Disinformation Agency

CNN reports: A former Fox News reporter is expected to be appointed to lead the State Department agency in charge of efforts to counter foreign propaganda and disinformation, two officials told CNN. Lea Gabrielle is expected to be officially named the special envoy and coordinator of the Global Engagement Center as soon as Thursday, the official said. The GEC was …

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State Department Condemns Renewed Attacks On Gays By Chechnya: Russia Must “Investigate These Abuses”

Posted to the State Department’s website: We are deeply disturbed by credible reports out of Chechnya about renewed attacks against individuals perceived to be members of the LGBTI community. Civil society groups report that at least 40 individuals have been illegally detained since December, including two who reportedly died in custody after being tortured. We call on Russia to live …

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State Department Issues Travel Warning For China

Issued today by the State Department: Exercise increased caution in China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws as well as special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese nationals. Chinese authorities have asserted broad authority to prohibit U.S. citizens from leaving China by using ‘exit bans,’ sometimes keeping U.S. citizens in China for years. China uses exit bans coercively: to compel U.S. …

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State Department Pledges $5 Billion In Aid To Mexico

The Associated Press reports: The United States pledged $5.8 billion in aid Tuesday for strengthening government and economic development in Central America, and another $4.8 billion in development aid for southern Mexico. The U.S aid aims to promote better security conditions and job opportunities as part of a regional plan to allow Central Americans and Mexicans to remain in their …

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Trump Taps Former Fox News Host As UN Ambassador

Bloomberg reports: President Donald Trump has decided to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to replace departing United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, according to three people familiar with the decision, Bloomberg News reports. Nauert, 48, is an unorthodox choice for the UN role given that she had little experience in government or foreign policy before joining the administration in April …

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US Condemns “Escalating Attacks” Against LGBTs By Tanzania Government After Arrests Of Ten Gay Men

Via press release from the State Department: The United States government is deeply concerned over escalating attacks and legislative actions by the Government of Tanzania that violate civil liberties and human rights, creating an atmosphere of violence, intimidation, and discrimination. We are troubled by the continued arrests and harassment of marginalized persons, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and …

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State Department Issues Warning For LGBT Americans Living In Tanzania: Review Your Social Media Profiles

The Hill reports: The State Department is warning U.S. citizens in Tanzania of a crackdown against gay people in the East African country. The State Department said in a notice on its website that citizens should “employ sound security practices” and review their “internet footprint and social media profiles.” “Remove or protect images and language that may run afoul of …

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State Department May Ban Terms Like “Sexual Health”

Politico reports: U.S. diplomats may soon be prohibited from using the phrases “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education” under a proposal being floated to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, four people familiar with the issue said. The proposal is being pushed by a handful of conservative political appointees at the State Department and other agencies, including Mari Stull, …

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Another Mar-A-Lago Member To Get Ambassadorship

The Palm Beach Post reports: President Donald Trump is said to be ready to nominate couture handbag designer and Palm Beach resident Lana Marks to become ambassador to South Africa, making her the fourth member of the Mar-a-Lago Club that the president has tapped for an ambassadorship. The potential nomination of yet another Mar-a-Lago member to a top post in …

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20 Democratic Senators Petition Pompeo To Reverse “Cruel” Denial Of Visas To Partners Of LGBT Diplomats

Politico reports: Twenty Democratic senators on Thursday urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to reverse course on the “unnecessarily cruel” decision to end an Obama-era policy that granted visas to the same-sex partners of LGBTQ diplomats whose unions are not recognized by their home countries. In July, the U.S. mission to the United Nations informed foreign delegations that beginning Oct. …

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Tony Perkins Celebrates New Anti-LGBT Visa Policy

Via press release from hate group leader Tony Perkins: The rainbow didn’t just color the White House — it colored Barack Obama’s entire legacy. For eight years, Americans watched the 44th president’s obsession with LGBT activism eclipse every other urgent issue. And the U.S. State Department was exhibit A. No sooner had Hillary Clinton taken over as secretary than the …

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US To Deny Visas To Unmarried Same-Sex Partners Of Diplomats, Ends Policy Enacted In 2009 Under Obama

NBC News reports: The State Department on Monday began imposing a new policy that restricts visas for the same-sex partners of staff of U.S.-based international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The State Department’s website on G-4 visas currently states: “Effective immediately, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate visa applications that are …

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Pompeo Declares Midterms Safe From Interference

“I have no doubt that the Russians have every intention of making life difficult for every American. This has been going on for decades. So please know, the American people should know, that the U.S. government is actively engaged in efforts to ensure the Russians, Chinese, Iranians, North Koreans – all of those – with malintent for America, will not …

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Pompeo Cracks Down On Improper Use Of Commas

CNN reports: Iran, North Korea, Syria and … commas. While Mike Pompeo is focused on a number of key geopolitical concerns, an email obtained by CNN suggests that the secretary of state also appears to have had it, up to, here, with, the rampant, improper use of commas by State Department staff. In the last few months, two emails have …

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Giuliani Slams Romania’s Anti-Corruption Reforms In Letter To Their President, Was Paid By Lobbyists For It

The New York Times reports: Romania, long considered one of the most corrupt states in the European Union, has made energetic efforts to root out graft, with high-profile lawmakers caught in the cross hairs and concerns about the rule of law prompting rallies attended by tens and sometimes hundreds of thousands of protesters. Now, unexpectedly, Rudolph W. Giuliani, President Trump’s …

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Old Glory Only Act: 33 House Republicans Back Bill That Would Forbid US Embassies From Flying Rainbow Flag

Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade: A Republican lawmaker in the U.S. House has introduced legislation that appears to be aimed at barring U.S. embassies from flying the Pride flag in recognition of the LGBT community. With little fanfare last week, Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) quietly introduced the measure, which seeks to “prohibit the flying of any flag other …

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Mike Pompeo To Host Religious Freedom “Ministerial”

“There are many countries in which religious freedom is not available. And we believe that by gathering citizens from around the world – we’ll have over 80 delegations from different countries, 40 plus of my counterparts at the foreign minister level will be in attendance, and religious leaders like yourself – all brought together to highlight the central nature of …

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