Friday, May. 24, 2024
Has the US ‘lost’ seven embassies during Joe Biden’s presidency, the most under any president?
During Joe Biden’s presidency, three U.S. embassies — in Afghanistan, Belarus and Sudan — suspended and have not resumed operations, each following unrest in those countries.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., recently claimed at the Wisconsin Republican convention the embassies were “lost,” though they still operate, just from different countries.
U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., cited a total of seven actions in a March letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The letter cited the three suspensions, noting the unrest in those countries. It also referenced evacuation of non-emergency personnel, family or non-essential personnel in Burma, Russia, Niger and Haiti, but those operations were not suspended.
A State Department spokesperson told Wisconsin Watch there have been a total of 29 embassy evacuations, ordered or authorized, under Biden and there were 37 under President Donald Trump.
An embassy is an official headquarters for U.S. diplomats and government representatives serving in a foreign country.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- U.S. Mission to Afghanistan U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan Status
- U.S. Embassy in Belarus Visas
- U.S. Embassy in Sudan Alert
- U.S. House of Representatives Rep. James Comer letter
- WisconsinEye 2024 Republican Party of Wisconsin State Convention
- Google Docs State Department email May 23, 2024
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