It’s been a rough four years for members of the media who covered the Trump administration. Donald Trump and many of those who worked for him created a hostile working environment as they positioned the press corps as “the enemy of the people.” Today, while holding his first briefing at the State Department, new Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged this.
Instead of demonizing accusations, Blinken urged diplomacy between the press and the people–a message with a refreshing change of pace considering how the press has been demonized and all but indicted by the Trump administration. This quote was an especially welcome one:
“A free press is a cornerstone of our democracy and this is a critical moment for protecting and defending democracy.”
In addition to improving relations at home, Blinken also vowed to “rebuild the ranks of the foreign service and rely on its expertise as the Biden administration tries to restore U.S. global standing,” said CBS News.