U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price is stepping down from his post in another loss in the Biden administration.
“For people in America and around the world, Ned Price has often been a face and voice of US foreign policy,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement on Tuesday. “He’s performed with extraordinary professionalism and integrity.”
Since day one as Spokesperson, Ned Price has been a voice for U.S. foreign policy, modeled transparency and integrity, and promoted press freedom around the world. Fortunate I’ll be able to continue to rely on him as trusted advisor in his new role. pic.twitter.com/cB0mTTwwNt
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 8, 2023
Price will now work directly with Blinken later this month and will be replaced in the interim by his deputy, Vedant Patel, until a successor is named.
“Ned’s firm grasp of the policies underlying our messaging made him that much more effective in his role,” Blinken continued. “On a personal level, I have constantly benefited from his counsel, as have so many members of the Department. Fortunately, I’ll be able to continue to do that, as Ned will continue to serve at State, working directly for me.”
Price had been the face of the State Department since Jan. 20, 2021, outlasting former White House press secretary Jen Psaki as the longest serving-federal agency spokesman in the Biden administration.
“Ned has helped the US 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’s departure marks the second time an official left President Joe Biden’s team this year. Most recently, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield also announced her resignation from her job.
Bedingfield previously worked as then-Vice President Biden’s communications director from 2015 to 2016, and then found a role on Biden’s successful 2020 presidential campaign as deputy campaign manager.
“Since my time as Vice President, Kate has been a loyal and trusted adviser, through thick and thin,” Biden said in a statement. “She was a critical strategic voice from the very first day of my presidential campaign in 2019 and has been a key part of advancing my agenda in the White House. The country is better off as a result of her hard work and I’m so grateful to her — and to her husband and two young children — for giving so much. Ben has big shoes to fill.”
