Mary Elizabeth Taylor: Senior state department official resigns over Trump’s response to anti-racism protests
President’s actions ‘cut sharply against my core values and conviction,’ says first black woman to serve as assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A senior official within the US Department of State has resigned over Donald Trump’s “comments and actions surrounding racial injustice” in the wake of national unrest following police killings of black Americans.
Mary Elizabeth Taylor, assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs, submitted a five-paragraph resignation letter to secretary Mike Pompeo on Thursday, according to The Washington Post, after working within the administration since 2017.
“Moments of upheaval can change you, shift the trajectory of your life, and mould your character,” she wrote, The Post reports. “The President’s comments and actions surrounding racial injustice and Black Americans cut sharply against my core values and convictions.”
Ms Taylor is the first black woman and youngest person to serve in that position following her appointment in 2018.
Her departure is among the first high-profile resignations in protest of the president’s response to Black Lives Matter demonstrations that have gripped cities across the US in every state with demands for justice following the deaths of George Floyd and other black Americans in police custody.
James Miller, a member of the Defence Science Board and a previous member of Barack Obama‘s administration, resigned following Mr Trump’s photo op in which he held a bible outside St John’s Church after law enforcement fired tear gas and pepper spray at protesters to clear the president’s path.
Ms Taylor’s exit from the Trump administration on Thursday also follows the resignations of two Pentagon officials this week: foreign policy official Kathryn Wheelbarger and acting comptroller Elaine McCusker.
Prior to her White House roles, Ms Taylor worked in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office.
She aided in the confirmations of Mr Pompeo, US Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, and CIA director Gina Haspel.
The Post reports that Ms Taylor told her State Department staff on 3 June, days following the killing of Mr Floyd in Minneapolis, that her heart “is broken, in a way from which I’ve had to heal it countless times.”
She said his “horrific murder and the recent deaths of other Black Americans have shaken our nation at its core. Every time we witness these heinous, murderous events, we are reminded that our country’s wounds run deep and remain untreated ... For our team members who are hurting right now, please know you are not alone. You are seen, recognised, heard, and supported. I am right here with you.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments