Rufus Gifford steps down as State Department’s chief of protocol
The State Department’s openly gay chief of protocol on Monday announced he is leaving his post. Rufus Gifford in a tweet said he is “tremendously grateful” to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Joe Biden “to have been given the chance to serve as” chief of protocol. “Was an honor like no other,” said Gifford. “I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of this State Department,” he added. “I leave believing in the power of diplomacy more than ever.” Gifford was the U.S.
ambassador to Denmark from 2013-2017. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in his native Massachusetts in 2018. The U.S. Senate in December 2021 confirmed Gifford for the State Department position. “On behalf of the State Department, I want to thank Rufus Gifford for his service as (chief of protocol),” said Blinken in a tweet. “Our relationships with countries around the world are stronger because of Rufus and his team’s important work on behalf of our nation.” The White House on Monday referred the Washington Blade to Blinken’s tweet.
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The post Rufus Gifford steps down as State Department’s chief of protocol appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.
