Ned Price to Step Down as State Department Spokesman

Officials from the State Department announced Tuesday that Ned Price, the State Department’s spokesperson for communications and public affairs will be stepping down later in this month.

“For people in America and around the world, Ned Price has often been a face and voice of U.S. foreign policy,” Antony Blinken was Secretary of State. “He’s performed with extraordinary professionalism and integrity. On behalf of the Department, I thank Ned for his remarkable service.”

Price has been in the same position since the start of the Biden administration. He will now work directly with Blinken.

“I started as a public servant as an analyst at the CIA, and I ended up in this job because of a series of accidents, fateful accidents,” Pricing told NBC News. “I have loved being in this line of work for the past several years. And one of the things I love most about it is the connection to the policy.”

Blinken acknowledged Price’s contribution to the State Department. He also mentioned his restoration of daily briefings which were lost during Trump’s administration.

“Throughout the more than 200 briefings he has since held, he’s treated journalists—as well as colleagues and everyone else he interacts with—with respect,” Blinken said.

Blinken stated that Price was “a face and voice” Who has been affected by U.S. Foreign Policy? “performed with extraordinary professionalism and integrity.”

Price was a Special Assistant to President Obama, Senior Director for Strategic Communications and spokeswoman at the National Security Council. He publicly resigned as a government official in February 2017 after citing the criticisms of the Intelligence Community by then-President Donald Trump.

“Ned has helped the U.S. government defend and promote press freedom around the globe and modeled the transparency and openness we advocate for in other countries,” Blinken said. “His contributions will benefit the Department long after his service.”

Price was previously the top spokesman for the State Department. He worked at the CIA as a senior analyst, spokesman and spokesman. He also taught at Georgetown University, and was a contributor and analyst for NBC News.

Price, who took his position as the spokesman for the federal agencies in the Biden administration in January 2021 is now the longest serving, exceeding Jen Psaki’s time at the White House. John Kirby was the Pentagon’s spokesman and is now part of the National Security Council as the communication dean.

Price was instrumental in shaping the foreign policy messages of the Biden administration during a time when America had a complicated relationship with China and Russia.

Vedant Pattel will act as his deputy until an interim replacement is chosen.