|
August 8 – 14
Here’s what happened at State this week. ⤵️
- The United States brokered peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- We released the 2024 Human Rights Report.
- President Trump nominated the State Department Spokesperson to be Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
 President Trump meets with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, Friday, August 8, 2025, in the Cabinet Room. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
On August 8, President Trump hosted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the White House, where the two leaders signed a historic joint declaration for peace after decades of conflict.
“For more than 35 years, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a bitter conflict that resulted in tremendous suffering for both nations,” President Trump said. “With this Accord, we’ve finally succeeded in making peace.”
The peace agreement not only ends decades of conflict but also unlocks the economic potential of the South Caucasus region. Both nations signed bilateral economic agreements with the United States, creating new opportunities in trade, transit, energy, infrastructure, and technology.
On August 12, we released the 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which cover internationally recognized rights.
This year’s report has been “restructured in a way that removes redundancy, [and] increases report readability,” State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said when introducing the report at the Department press briefing. “The report continues to call out the world’s repressive actors, while also addressing abuses that had not previously been covered.”
Secretary Rubio mourned the passing of Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay. Senator Uribe died after being shot at a political rally in June.
“The United States stands in solidarity with his family, the Colombian people, both in mourning and demanding justice for those responsible,” Secretary Rubio said.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau traveled to Colombia to attend the senator’s memorial service. “At a dark moment, I wanted to let the good people of Colombia know they are not alone,” Deputy Secretary Landau said.
“Senator Uribe’s leadership, courage, and commitment to his nation were evident throughout his years of service, and his contributions to Colombia’s democratic progress will endure,” the Deputy Secretary added in a statement.
 Spokesperson Tammy Bruce holds a press briefing at the Department of State in Washington, DC., August 12, 2025. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)
On August 9, President Trump nominated State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce to be the next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations.
“Since the beginning of my Second Term, Tammy has been serving with distinction as Spokesperson of the State Department, where she did a fantastic job,” President Trump said on social media. “Tammy Bruce will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations.”
Spokesperson Bruce gave her final press briefing as Department Spokesperson on August 12. “I remain deeply honored and grateful for the President's trust in me,” Spokesperson Bruce said. She said she was proud to “continue serving the State Department … and our great country on the global stage.”
|
