Marie Yovanovitch Takes A Swipe At Trump Administration In Speech

Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch lambasted the Trump administration's foreign policy while accepting the “Excellence in the Conduct of Diplomacy” award at the Georgetown University.

According to CNN, this was the first time Yovanovitch spoke to the public since she was ousted from her post, and she appeared to take a dig at the State Department, saying it was “in trouble.”

The former ambassador went on to talk about “senior leaders” who lacked the skills and “policy vision” to develop and implement policies that will benefit involved parties. Some political experts believe she may have referred to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

When Yovanovitch was removed from office by President Donald Trump, Pompeo was accused of failing to defend the ex-ambassador against Trump's attacks.

Yovanovitch was the ambassador to Ukraine for three years before her removal. During the Trump impeachment hearings, the hashtag #GoMasha trended on Twitter as she stood behind the witness stand. Masha is the nickname given to Yovanovitch by colleagues and friends.

Aside from seemingly swiping at Pompeo for his silence during the time Trump plucked Yovanovitch out of her position, Yovanovitch also appeared to take a dig at the “amoral” foreign policy that the current administration follows.

Yovanovitch referred to current U.S. foreign policy as a system that “cannot work over the long haul,” ABC News reported. She also reiterated the importance of leaning on leaders who have the experience and skill necessary to help in developing U.S. foreign policy.

Yovanovitch went on to say that officers at the State Department are wondering if they will remain safe if they questioned the administration’s policy on foreign dealings.

It is worth noting that Yovanovitch was among the key witnesses who testified on the connections and dealings in Ukraine that Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani was engaged in.

Yovanovitch’s abrupt removal from her post last May came as the Ukrainian government was dealing with pressure from the Trump administration to start a probe into Trump’s presidential political rivals.