Nancy Brinker United States Ambassador


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Sending Clear Message on America’s Priorities


t the outset of every new administration, Amer- icans are treated to a parade of foreign dignitaries mak-


ing their way to the White House. These carefully choreographed


meetings are not just pageantry but the product of painstaking diplomacy and strategic planning. Who visits the United States first? Who speaks first in the Oval Office? How are these meet- ings orchestrated? The answers to these questions


largely rest in the hands of the Office of the Chief of Protocol, one of the most influential but often overlooked insti- tutions shaping American diplomacy. The Office of the Chief of Protocol,


housed within the State Department, serves as the guardian of diplomatic procedure, ensuring that America’s engagements with foreign leaders reflect both the strength of our nation and the respect we accord to our allies and partners. Beyond the ceremonial aspects of statecraft, like arranging state din- ners, credentialing foreign ambassa- dors, and managing the logistics of diplomatic visits, the chief of proto- col plays a critical role in advancing America’s foreign policy by setting the tone of international engage- ments.


These efforts are not merely sym-


bolic; they are substantive. The way we receive our allies and partners sends a clear message about the val- ues we uphold and the global order we seek to reinforce. In an era where the rules-based international system is being tested, the United States’ ability to project strength alongside its allies speaks vol- umes about the resilience of democ- racy and the principles that define our


28 NEWSMAX | MAY 2025


leadership on the world stage. The Office of the Chief of Proto-


col’s history is as rich as the individu- als who have held the role, with nota- ble figures contributing to its legacy. Selwa Roosevelt, for example, was instrumental in modernizing diplo- matic customs while preserving the integrity of long-standing traditions. During her tenure in the Reagan administration, she streamlined state visits and played a key role in manag- ing the optics of U.S. diplomacy at a time when the Cold War demanded meticulous image management.


Protocol efforts are not merely symbolic; they are substantive. The way we receive our allies and partners sends a clear message about the values we uphold and the global order we seek to reinforce.


Her Republican successor, Don-


ald Ensenat, served under President George W. Bush, reinforcing proto- col efforts during an era of height- ened global tensions in the wake of 9/11, ensuring that diplomatic engagements underscored America’s strength and resolve. As protocol chief after Ensenat,


I worked to expand the role of the office through outreach programs intended to foster better relation-


ships with the Diplomatic Corps. The effort, known as Diplomat-


ic Partnerships, involved over 60 events, including “Experience Ameri- ca,” where the Diplomatic Corps trav- eled throughout the United States to meet with business and civic leaders. During his stint as protocol chief


during the Biden administration, for- mer Ambassador Rufus Gifford carried the tradition forward, ensuring that protocol remains a vital element of U.S. diplomacy in an increasingly complex global landscape. His work underscores that diplo-


macy is not just about what is said but how it is conveyed. The order in which foreign leaders visit the U.S., the man- ner in which they are received, and the environment in which discussions take place all send clear, deliberate messages about America’s priorities and alliances. At a time when the world is watch-


ing America’s every move, the Office of the Chief of Protocol remains at the forefront of shaping perceptions of U.S. strength and stability. The respect we accord to our allies


and the firmness we display in engage- ments with competitors reinforce our commitment to a rules-based order. How we conduct diplomacy matters,


and the meticulous work of the chief of protocol ensures that America’s role as a global leader is not just spoken — it is demonstrated through every inter- action, every engagement, and every carefully orchestrated moment on the world stage.


Nancy G. Brinker served as chief of protocol from 2007-2009. She is the founder of Susan G. Komen, the Promise Fund of Florida, and host of Conversations with Nancy Brinker on Newsmax TV.


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