An administration’s profile in cowardice
Thewomen of Courageaward, presented annually by the secretary of state and the first lady, honors women fromaround the worldwho have “demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership to bring positive change to their communities, often at great personal risk and sacrifice.” Established by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and presented around Internationalwomen’s Day, March 8, the honor includes a ceremony and travel in the United States. Admirable and uncontroversial — but even this the Trump administration hasmanaged to dishonor.
A new report fromthe State Department Office of Inspector General casts light on how a winner, Jessikkaaro of Finland, was selected for a 2019 award and then, upon discovery of her socialmedia posts criticizing President Trump, unceremoniously dumped. The decision to rescind the prize afterms. Aro had been notified was wrongheaded. Afterward, a Statedepartment spokesman lied to the press, and department officialsmisled Congress.
Ms. Aro, an investigative journalist, had identified therussian online troll factory in St. Petersburg thatwas ground zero in interfering in the 2016U.S. presidential election. After reporting her findings on the Finnish broadcasting company YLE, she was mercilessly attacked by the same Russian trolls.
The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki nominated her for the award, saying she had courageously endured death threats to bring the story to the public. The embassy examined her socialmedia postings and concluded they fell within legitimate political speech, according to the IG report. After Secretary of Statemike Pompeo approved the 10 winners, Ms. Aro was informed in January she hadwon, and the embassy began to make travel and visa plans. But in February, the State Department assigned interns to review social media posts of the winners. Department officials readms. Aro’s posts on Twitter and Facebook, some of them critical ofmr. Trump, such as a 2018 retweet of ANNBC report about threats against the Boston Globe. Ms. Aro had added a comment thatmr. Trump “constantly labels journalists as ‘enemy’ and ‘fake news.’ “The department decided to revoke the honor. Internal communications cited by the Igshowthe reasonwas possible “embarrassment” to the department at the ceremony. One official worriedms. Aro’s socialmedia posts “could potentially be highlighted and flashing across tv screens.”
Foreign Policymagazine revealed the revocation. Onmarch 7, 2019, a department spokesman told reporters that Ms. Aro had been “incorrectly notified,” calling it a “regrettable error” and a “mistake.” When minority staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee inquired, the department providedmisleading answers.
These untruths were cowardly, running entirely against the spirit and principles of the award and of public service. The meaning of free speech is that it is free, not that it is always flattering. The State Department should apologize for its lies. Mr. Pompeo should apologize toms. Aro, and give her the award she deserves.