logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Has the US 'lost' seven embassies during Joe Biden's presidency, the most under any president?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

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
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.