WATCH: Antony Blinken's FIRST speech to employees as Secretary of State

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday pledged to rebuild morale and trust at the State Department and have the backs of diplomats and staff in opening remarks to agency officials marking his first full day as America’s top diplomat.
His brief speech, delivered to about 30 agency staff, was a veiled acknowledgement of turning the page on the combative tenure of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that saw morale at the agency plummet, leadership centralized around a small group of loyalists and public attacks on ambassadors and staff go unchallenged.
“I know the State Department that I’m walking into is not the same one I left four years ago,” Blinken said while paying tribute to the 47 State Department staff who have died from COVID-19 and acknowledging barriers and fencing that went up following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
As part of President Biden’s push to promote unity after the stark divisions of the Trump era, Blinken implored State Department staff and told them they have a role to play amid his push to rebuild morale and trust.
“This is a priority for me, because we need a strong department for the United States to be strong in the world.”
Blinken, who was confirmed to be the 71st secretary of State on Wednesday, has vowed to increase diversity among the agency's Foreign and Civil services, building on Biden’s promise to address social and racial inequity in government and policy.
You can read more here: thehill.com/ho...

[@catherinekeller4230]

HELLO FROM UK 😊 ANTHONY BLINKEN IS HANDSOME AS WELL AS HONEST AND STRAIGHT FORWARD, KINDLY FACE...CONGRATS TO OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS!! 😄

[@zoofeather]

Free Assange if you value transparency..

[@belingg2692]

What?

[@alex6maqnhhafei304]

Charming and humble appearance, excited to expect his tune and influence!

[@belingg2692]

Love this guy

[@kidchristjustice4367]

President Biden is bring America back .. Thank GOD that the past republikkkan privileged do no wrong thug is no more ..

[@chavezchrissy]

Environment concerns??? Don't see bikes but gas cars. They don't care.

[@danishbiochem]

Blinken is a GOP/Dem person. Nothing new expected from him.

[@foadyassin6696]

وانا اقوى رجل على وجه هذا الارض

[@tinatrottier4189]

A lot of words to say nothing. All the buss words to say nothing sad.

[@Atheistbatman]

Why would he say something sad

[@helgechristophersen7665]

This was very nice, but very little substance and specifics. That may be good. He has a fantastic Sec. of State behind him, Pompeo.

[@foadyassin6696]

نحنوا مع السلام بين شعوب العالم والعنف لا يورت الى العنف نحنوا ضد سفك الدماء الناس وما ارسلنك الى رحمة للعالمين

[@gwebocelestron9194]

We will never unit with the evil left. 2 Corinthians 6:14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.

[@hueyang5943]

If you believed in god there's no need to worry. You don't need to use the left as a bad turn. The right has it's chance and that was a bad turn for America.

[@michel_montrond]

God bless America 🇺🇸

[@establishment1188]

Establishment schill

[@delldunigan5021]

So sad

[@laurelking4356]

He’s communicating with the press? Trump wouldn’t like this!!

[@chavezchrissy]

He no different birds of feather flock together.

[@فراشه-ي7ه]

🗞️💗

[@stevenee1ply]

Wasn't Blinkin put in prison for being a sociopathic corporatist? If so, who let him out?

[@jakepinckney9796]

He has never literally been in prison

[@jeremyn2008]

@@jakepinckney9796 he probably read this on QAnon

[@belingg2692]

Haters. Chill out

[@vktor5730]

If not liking a corrupt war hawk who supported every interventionist war since 2001 that killed millions and plans on overthrowing a democratically elected official in another country(Venezuela) makes someone a "hater", I'll gladly be a hater for this guy.