At a ceremony celebrating her tenure as the 67th secretary of state and the unveiling of her portrait, Hillary Clinton directly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin. She also made subtle jabs at former President Donald Trump, who bested her in the 2016 election.
Clinton, joined by her husband, ex-President Bill Clinton, during the event at the State Department, lauded the current Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. She suggested that the actions during Trump’s tenure had put the support of the U.S. and its allies for Ukraine in doubt, according to ABC News.
Though she refrained from naming Trump, she observed that previous policies had strained ties with global allies. Emphasizing the importance of a foreign approach that underscores American values and security, she pointed out the challenges in reviving such a strategy, especially after distancing key allies.
Before unveiling her portrait, Clinton remarked on the lengthy gap since she last saw the artwork, mentioning both the pandemic and the reluctance to complete it during the previous administration.
She expressed gratitude towards the State Department and reflected on her time in office. Under her leadership, there was an emphasis on human rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and enabling everyone to realize their potential. She highlighted that these core values were sustained under the Biden administration.
On the topic of Putin, Clinton commented on his decision to invade Ukraine, suggesting that he was responsible for the outcomes, which included a deadlock in the war and NATO’s enlargement.
