Did the US Embassy in Kyiv Resist Hanging Trump's Picture During Yovanovitch's Tenure?
Throughout his term, Donald Trump often faced criticism for his inability to manage government affairs, leading to a number of delays and unfinished tasks. One of the more contentious issues during Marie Yovanovitch's tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine concerned the hanging of a picture of Trump in the embassy in Kyiv. However, the reality of the situation is quite different from what was reported.
Background on the Issue
Reports of the missing Trump portraits in U.S. embassies began to circulate when Marie Yovanovitch first emerged as a critic of the Trump administration. Critics, including the Ambassador herself, alleged that the Trump administration had deliberately withheld official portraits of the president and vice president, leading to a situation where no pictures were displayed in some diplomatic posts.
The Truth Behind the Allegations
According to the Washington Post, the situation was not as dramatic as it was portrayed. In September 2017, the newspaper reported that federal buildings around the world, including U.S. embassies, were missing pictures of Trump and Pence because the administration had not yet decided on a date to take the official headshots.
Clarifying the Facts
It is clear that Yovanovitch never refused to hang a picture of Trump. In fact, according to Lewis Lukens, who ran the U.S. embassy in London during Trump's first year in office, the administration had instructed them not to print substitutes. This means that no embassy, including the one in Kyiv, had the official portraits of the president and vice president hanging on the walls.
Refutations from Yovanovitch's Legal Team
Yovanovitch's lawyers have provided statements addressing the conflicting dates offered by Trump's supporters. They noted that there was no evidence to support Trump's claims, and the administration's attempts to change dates were an indication of their inability to provide a coherent narrative.
The Context of the Situation
The issue of missing Trump portraits paled in comparison to the more pressing concerns facing the United States during the Trump presidency. Critics pointed out that it was much more significant that Trump was undermining democratic institutions and potentially compromising the security of the U.S. military by handing it over to Putin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the claim that the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv resisted hanging a picture of Trump during Yovanovitch's tenure is a misleading narrative. The fact that no official portraits were hung was due to the administrative incompetence of the Trump administration, not due to any opposition from Yovanovitch.
The saga of the unhung portraits is just one of many examples of the often-sloppy and chaotic management style of the Trump administration. Whether it's this story or the broader issues of national security, the Trump era left a legacy of confusion and inaction that continues to impact the United States.