Foote in mouth

Being in the diplomatic corps in the Age of Trump should make one eligible for combat given how little air cover those at the top give. Daniel Foote was U.S. ambassador to Zambia — until earlier this week — when the State Department recalled him home after his hosts declared that his position was “no longer tenable”: Zambian apparently for “persona non grata.” Foote’s offense? Last month he declared that he was “horrified” for a 15-year-sentence imposed on a gay couple. This month, he linked Zambia’s anti-gay policies to the nation’s inability to address a spreading AIDS epidemic. Foote also zeroed in on corruption in a nation which receives $500 million annually in U.S. aid. But Zambia’s president said, “We want him gone.”

Foote was following U.S. policy. A major Trump administration initiative — led by

U.S. ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell — is to see homosexuality decriminalized abroad. So, why didn’t Secretary of State Mike Pompeo support Foote? Especially considering Foote also raised the corruption issue — and the aid the U.S. provides Zambia?

What an ironic counterpoint to the Ukraine dollars-for-dirt misadventure: After months of bad mouthing, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was fired (because, as Rudy Giuliani declared her “in the way” of the Ukraine shakedown). Bill Taylor, Yovanovitch’s replacement was also sent back to D.C., following his brave impeachment inquiry testimony.

Lesson learned? Whether “foreign corruption” is legitimate issue or a bogus justification, Pompeo will be MIA when it comes to protecting diplomats caught in the crossfire.