Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Sunday that P.J. Crowley, spokesperson for the US State Department, has resigned. Crowley has worked in government for over 30 years, and worked during President Bill Clinton’s administration in the National Security Administration. His most recent role was as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
“[P.J.’s] service to country is motivated by a deep devotion to public policy and public diplomacy, and I wish him the very best,” stated Secretary Clinton in a formal press release on his resignation.
Crowley resigned after making opinionated comments about the treatment of PFC Bradley Manning in official custody during a seminar at MIT last week. Manning is allegedly responsible for leaking thousands of pages of sensitive government documents to Wikileaks.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Hammer will replace Crowley as Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
In the State Department press release, Crowley said that his “unauthorized disclosure of classified information is a serious crime under U.S. law.” He added that his comments about Manning’s pre-trial detention “were intended to highlight the broader, even strategic impact of discreet actions undertaken by national security agencies every day and their impact on our global standing and leadership.”
“The exercise of power in today’s challenging times and relentless media environment must be prudent and consistent with our laws and values,” stated Crowley, who noted that he resigned specifically because of the “impact” of his remarks.
Crowley added parting words of respect and admiration for his State Department colleagues, and made special note of the media professionals he worked with.
“I leave with deep respect for the journalists who report on foreign policy and global developments every day, in many cases under dangerous conditions and subject to serious threats,” stated Crowley. “Their efforts help make governments more responsible, accountable and transparent.”
“[P.J.’s] service to country is motivated by a deep devotion to public policy and public diplomacy, and I wish him the very best,” stated Secretary Clinton in a formal press release on his resignation.
Crowley resigned after making opinionated comments about the treatment of PFC Bradley Manning in official custody during a seminar at MIT last week. Manning is allegedly responsible for leaking thousands of pages of sensitive government documents to Wikileaks.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Hammer will replace Crowley as Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.
In the State Department press release, Crowley said that his “unauthorized disclosure of classified information is a serious crime under U.S. law.” He added that his comments about Manning’s pre-trial detention “were intended to highlight the broader, even strategic impact of discreet actions undertaken by national security agencies every day and their impact on our global standing and leadership.”
“The exercise of power in today’s challenging times and relentless media environment must be prudent and consistent with our laws and values,” stated Crowley, who noted that he resigned specifically because of the “impact” of his remarks.
Crowley added parting words of respect and admiration for his State Department colleagues, and made special note of the media professionals he worked with.
“I leave with deep respect for the journalists who report on foreign policy and global developments every day, in many cases under dangerous conditions and subject to serious threats,” stated Crowley. “Their efforts help make governments more responsible, accountable and transparent.”
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