Author of the NYT bestseller Hell and Other Destinations, 64th SecState, refugee, prof, bizwoman, pin collector & occasional drummer. Grateful American.
To be clear, immigrants, legal or not, are people who want to improve their lives. To refer to them as animals or insects is to foster hate. What’s happening in Washington and on our border is sad, wrong, and unamerican.
The only thing more stunning than the scale of Russian interference uncovered today is the fact that an American President is taking no action to protect our country against an ongoing threat. This is a dereliction of duty.
It’s a good thing Devin Nunes is not taking my course on national security decision making. I expect my students’ written work to be compelling, accurate, and unbiased. By those standards, I would have to give him an F. Let’s hope his constituents do the same in November.
70 years ago today a communist coup destroyed democracy in my native Czechoslovakia. The coup forced my family into exile, and months later we were welcomed as refugees in the USA. Ever since I’ve been a grateful American, and I’ve learned to never take democracy for granted.
70 years ago on Armistice Day my family and I arrived in America. We were greeted not by barbed wire but by the Statue of Liberty. We were given the chance to live in freedom and in return became grateful patriotic citizens. That is the America I know and want back.
Still bothered by this: About 8 am this morning, I witnessed a reckless bicyclist nearly knock down 81 yo former SecState
@madeleine
as she opened her car door in Georgetown. He cursed her, then zoomed away at high speed. Zero emissions doesn't exempt from basic decency
Since arriving in America seventy-one years ago, I have developed a deep love for this country; that devotion is typical of the millions of other immigrants and refugees who have enriched our land and added new sources of energy and strength to it.
It has been too long since a President delivered a speech in Washington about the need to defend democracy and support international cooperation. Thank you,
@EmmanuelMacron
for your powerful words and stirring call to action.
Beware of wishful thinking. 80 years ago today the Munich Agreement was signed. British leaders thought they could appease Hitler and thereby guarantee peace in their time. They believed what they wanted to believe, but they were wrong and the consequences were devastating.
I wore this pin today because it’s Harry Truman’s birthday. He was my first U.S. president, and he understood that America was stronger when it worked with our allies and partners. We ignore that lesson at our peril.
As we mourn and pray for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims, we remember that when politicians spread diabolical conspiracy theories and stir up hatred of others, they are ripping the scab off a wound that killed six million people and has never fully healed.
Seventy one years ago today I arrived in America as a refugee under the watchful eye of Lady Liberty. I will always be grateful to this country for giving me freedom and to our veterans for defending it.
#VeteransDay
.
@kamalaharris
is a proven fighter for justice, an outspoken defender of democracy, and the embodiment of the American dream. She is the perfect partner for
@JoeBiden
as he works to make that dream accessible to all. I’m all in for
#BidenHarris2020
#MadamVicePresident
I have not know anyone with greater courage, stronger convictions or more devotion to country than John McCain. He is irreplaceable, but his legacy will live wherever democracy is defended, human rights are protected, and U.S. leadership is exerted in defense of universal values.
My new book, Fascism: A Warning, is available for pre-order now and will be released on April 10.
I wrote this call to action because history has taught us that, when
#Fascism
looms, we have a duty to stand up and speak out.
1/6
.
@JoeBiden
has the energy, experience and moral courage that our nation deserves and the future demands. He will be ready on Day One to lead as commander in chief. Thats why
@BarackObama
chose him as VPOTUS and why I am proud to support his campaign
British PM Neville Chamberlain in 1938 called the conflict between Nazi Germany and my native Czechoslovakia a "quarrel in a far away country, between people of whom we know nothing.”
Less than two years later, the Nazis were bombing London.
President Trump to West Point cadets: “It is not the duty of US troops to solve ancient conflicts in faraway lands that many people have never even heard of.”
The White House cannot let another day pass without unequivocally rejecting Russia’s absurd request to interrogate
@McFaul
and other officials. Merely entertaining this idea betrays our diplomats, undermines our interests, and hands Putin yet another propaganda victory.
74 years ago today, the allies began to take back a continent lost to evil. I was a child refugee from Europe living with my family in London. I fell in love with Americans in uniform that day and never stopped being grateful to them for rescuing freedom.
#DDay
After fleeing the communists in Czechoslovakia, my family & I arrived in America on November 11, 1948. We were welcomed & provided the chance to build new lives in freedom. For this opportunity and all that has since come with it, I will always be grateful.
#RefugeesWelcome
I am proud to call John McCain a friend and partner in the fight for human rights and democratic values around the world. May God bless him and his family as they continue this journey.
.
@Lesdoggg
, the man walking on my jacket is Harry Truman, who was my first president when I came to the US in 1948.
I would get you a pin but the
@TrumanLibrary
gift shop is sold out. I’ll send you a copy of my book “Read My Pins” instead — enjoy!
50 years ago, the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia to put an end to the Prague Spring. The Soviets succeeded in the short term, but in the long run they failed because the democratic spirit cannot truly be defeated. May this anniversary always remind us of that timeless lesson
My family came to America after fleeing a coup, so I know that freedom is fragile. But I never thought I would see such an assault on democracy be cheered on from the Oval Office. I believe in the resilience of democracy and eagerly await the arrival of new national leadership.
I have been appalled by the Trump administration’s gutting of the State Department and the way it is turning off young people from careers in public service. It is time for us to defend diplomacy and the dedicated professionals who make it possible.
As a Czechoslovak-American, I can’t resist pointing out that today is National Immigrants Day and the 103rd anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia. I am proud of my birthplace and forever grateful to be an American immigrant.
It was the honor of my life to serve the American people by defending their interests and values around the world. I will never forget walking into the State Department 25 years ago today. Passing by the portraits of my predecessors, I could feel the walls shake just a little
25 years ago today,
@madeleine
Albright was sworn-in as our nation's first female Secretary of State. I am humbled to follow in her footsteps. American diplomacy,
@StateDept
, and our country are better for her service.
I hope our next president will rehire all the diplomats who have resigned over Trump’s racist words and harmful actions. We will need all the help we can get to repair the damage he is doing to our country’s international reputation and interests.
It was great to be back on the set of
@MadamSecretary
with
@tealeoni
. It is always nice to consult with my successors. The episode will air on
#CBS
on October 7.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg devoted her life to the powerful premise that every person counts.
She was a warrior for justice, equality, and democracy.
Thanks to her, those who carry on these fights will have not only history, but also the law, on their side.
Rest in peace, RBG
In an otherwise dark moment for our country, I have been inspired by the selfless service of George Kent, Bill Taylor, Marie Yovanovitch who this week refused to be intimidated and did their duty to defend the truth and uphold the constitution. I am truly
#FSProud
Congratulations to our great new leaders,
@JoeBiden
and
@KamalaHarris
.
Let’s celebrate the resilience of our democracy and applaud the shattering of another glass ceiling.
We need them, and they will need us, to bring the country together and restore the soul of America.
I admit to being a little envious of the pin. But thank you
@ladygaga
for sending such a strong message and lending your voice to this celebration of democracy.
#ReadMyPins
This week’s events show once again that, were the president to take my course on national security decision-making, he would flunk. Iran, Russia, Assad & ISIS are celebrating; Secretary Mattis is resigning; and our mission is not yet accomplished. Trump earns an F for failure.
The time has come for all of us, from every part of the political spectrum, to reclaim America’s proud heritage by saying no to division and hate and by participating actively in our democracy on behalf of the common good.
My family and I arrived in America 70 years ago next week, after fleeing the Nazis and then the Communists who had taken over Czechoslovakia. Please do not take for granted the privilege of living in the world’s oldest and greatest democracy. Go and vote!
Putin’s assault on democracy is undeniably real. I hope every American will read the Senate Foreign Relation Committee’s
#RussiaReport
and demand that our government take it seriously. We must protect our institutions and support our allies as they battle Russian interference.
Today I'm releasing a
#RussiaReport
documenting Vladimir Putin's 20-year attack on democratic institutions in his own country and Europe. To protect against what the Kremlin did to the U.S. in 2016, we need to first understand Putin's pattern.
Colin Powell,
@HillaryClinton
, and I used to consult each other when we were Secretaries of State. Watch as Elizabeth McCord (
@TeaLeoni
) seeks our advice on the season premiere of
@MadamSecretary
on
@CBS
tonight at 10 PM.
We must focus on saving lives in Afghanistan. As the US works to evacuate those at special risk from the Taliban, I am grateful to Albania, Canada, Kosovo and North Macedonia for offering refuge to Afghan allies, esp women & civil society leaders. I hope & expect others to follow
As expected, Trump is trying to sow the seeds of chaos and attack the foundations of our democracy. The good news is that America’s future is in the voters’ hands, not his. Keep counting every vote.
Congratulations to Antony Blinken for becoming America’s 71st secretary of state. He'll do an excellent job.
My advice: Don’t even try to match
@madeleine
’s brooch game.
All Americans should take pride in the patriotism and professionalism of public servants such as Lt Col Alexander Vindman, Amb. Marie Yovanovitch and Amb. Bill Taylor – and all Americans must reject the despicable smear campaign being waged against them by the president’s allies.
Maria Ressa, the founder of an award-winning Philippines-based news site and critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, was convicted of cyber libel Monday in a decision that is the latest blow to press freedom in the country
Like other Americans, I expect the president to try and unite our country. It’s part of any chief executive’s job description. It’s what the “U” stands for in USA.
As a refugee whose family fled Fascism and Communism, I learned early in life that there is much evil in this world. But I also learned early about a land across the sea where freedom was cherished and whose ideals inspired people all over the world.
I am excited to see so many new members of Congress arrive in Washington to begin the hard work of renewing our democracy, and I am thrilled they will led by
@NancyPelosi
. She is a true champion of American values and is the battle-tested leader we need.
Barbara Bush was a woman of incredible determination, wit, and compassion who embodied America’s best values. My deepest condolences to the entire Bush family — especially her devoted husband
@GeorgeHWBush
.
This Senate vote shows that the President’s bizarre and destructive views about NATO have no support on Capitol Hill. If he tries to take a wrecking ball to the alliance, Congress must act to preserve it. Our security and our prosperity are at stake.
#StrongerWithAllies
Aretha Franklin was the Queen of Soul, and she was also an incredible ambassador for American values and culture. In every corner of the globe, Aretha’s voice brought people joy and garnered more R-E-S-P-E-C-T for our country. I was honored to know her and will miss her dearly.
10 years ago today, the world lost an incomparable leader. Václav Havel devoted his life not only to pursuing democracy, but to using democracy to create a more just, humane and tolerant world. The best way for us to honor his memory is to carry on with this indispensable work.
I was profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. He was a dear friend and one of the world’s foremost advocates for peace, development, and international understanding.
As someone who cares deeply about Poland, I am alarmed at this latest effort by the Polish government to stifle free media. We must call this out for what it is — an attack on democracy and the rule of law.
Nelson Mandela taught us that the power of forgiveness is greater than that of hate, and differences of race & nationality matter less than our shared humanity. On what would have been his 100th birthday, we must carry on his fight for truth, justice and democracy.
#MandelaDay
This International Women's Day, let us all recommit to helping and empowering one another. That is the only path to achieving true and lasting equality.
#IWD2018
In Prague to mark 20 years since the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary joined NATO. My message is that NATO isn’t just a military alliance; it is a political alliance based on democratic values. We talk about needing to spend 2% for defense, but we need to be 100% for democracy.
”Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred.”
Czechoslovakia, the country of my birth, came into being 100 years ago today. These words were attributed to one of its greatest leaders, my friend Václav Havel.
#CZentennial
Mussolini compared accumulating power to plucking a chicken one feather at a time, go slowly and no one notices. Trump wants to change the Constitution by Executive order. That's a sledgehammer, not a feather - we should all take notice.
I have been warning that we cannot take our democracy for granted. Members of Congress have a responsibility to uphold the constitution and the principle that no American president is above the law. I don’t say this lightly, but Donald Trump must be impeached.
.
@realDonaldTrump
claimed ISIS was defeated but just gave them a new lease on life. His reckless abandonment of our friends will go down as one of this administration’s more disgraceful moments. Trump will be remembered by history as a great and unmatched disaster.
I’m thrilled to congratulate
@ABlinken
on becoming US Secretary of State, the world’s best job.
Sec. Blinken’s wisdom, integrity and compassion will be tremendous assets for America.
We can count on him and his team to revitalize diplomacy and reinvigorate U.S. leadership.
The arrest of journalist
@mariaressa
by the Philippine government is outrageous and must be condemned by all democratic nations. I’m proud to call her a friend and to stand with her in defending the principles of a free press.
NDI condemns the arrest of
@mariaressa
, chief executive officer of
@rapplerdotcom
, and the continued efforts by the Philippine government to quell press freedom.
Truth is fascism’s most potent enemy. Guardians of truth are democracy’s greatest friends. Proud to see
@Time
honor courageous journalists, including my friend and
@NDI
Democracy award winner
@mariaressa
.
#TimePersonOfTheYear