U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price will step down from his position this month after more than two years to take on a new role reporting directly to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that Price has provided over 200 briefings for journalists and has served as a face and voice for U.S. foreign policy, highlighting that he helped the U.S. government defend press freedom and elevate its value around the world, and was a model of transparency and openness "that we call for in other countries."
Blinken stated in a release that "Price’s contributions will continue to benefit the department long after his tenure."
Sean Tandon, president of the State Department Correspondents Association, praised Price for reinstating the department's daily press briefings and engaging with journalists' scrutiny, as was the case during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Tandon said in a statement, "Thanks to Ned, the daily press briefing has become routine now as it should be. It provides an opportunity for the press from around the world to hold U.S. foreign policy accountable, often critically, which requires the State Department to defend it. It is an honor for American democracy."
The department responsible for U.S. diplomacy held briefings sporadically only during former President Donald Trump's administration.
Price was sworn in as the department's spokesperson on January 20, 2021, the day Joe Biden was inaugurated as President of the United States. His tenure witnessed significant events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. diplomats and other personnel from Afghanistan.
