Washington—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on the Administration’s appointment of Ambassador Ronald J. Gidwitz as Acting Representative of the United States to the European Union:

“The President and Secretary Pompeo continue to push ahead in their determination to undermine American diplomacy and to allow the State Department to wither on the vine. The partnership between the United States and Europe is critical to the national security and economic prosperity of the United States. It’s the foundation upon which our international rules-based order is built. The management of this relationship is too important to be a political donor’s part-time job. And, let’s not forget that the last time the President made the US Ambassador to the EU a part-time job, it didn’t end well.  Downgrading our diplomatic representation to the EU during the biggest global health crisis in generations, when our alliances and friendships are even more important, is another step toward the complete abdication of American global leadership.

“After more than three years, it’s unfortunate that this administration refuses to do the right thing for American diplomacy and diplomats. I only hope that the damage done to the State Department can be reversed when the time comes.”

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