Rufus Gifford (Photo via Twitter)
The State Department’s openly gay chief of protocol on July 17 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.”
https://twitter.com/rufusgifford/status/1680922467399786496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1680922467399786496%7Ctwgr%5E53379185133141acaaa537ab657ffb3d20d7ba9f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonblade.com%2F2023%2F07%2F17%2Frufus-gifford-steps-down-as-state-departments-chief-of-protocol%2FGifford 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 confirmed Gifford for the State Department position in December 2021.
“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.”
On behalf of the @StateDept I want to thank @RufusGifford for his service as @US_Protocol. Our relationships with countries around the world are stronger because of Rufus and his team’s important work on behalf of our nation.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 17, 2023
The White House referred the Washington Blade to Blinken’s tweet for comment.
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