State Department spokeswoman thanks reporters

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert on Thursday thanked the journalists charged with covering the agency, applauding what she called their “dedication to the facts.”

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for a terrific 2017,” Nauert said at a department press briefing.

“I am truly honored to be working with you each and every day. Your professionalism, your dedication to the facts is really something that has been so impressive, and I just wanted to thank you all for the job that you do.”

Nauert’s comments came in contrast to President Trump’s own comments about the press, which he has frequently criticized as “fake news” and unfair to his administration. 

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Nauert also thanked State Department employees who have served in acting roles during the first year of the Trump administration. Many key posts at the agency remain without nominees. 

“We’ve had so many acting people that have stepped up and done very difficult jobs, and I just wanted to thank them and their families for supporting them in the work,” she said.