State Department spokesman Ned Price to step down

State Department spokesman Ned Price is stepping down from his position this month but will remain at the agency, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.

Price, who became the agency's spokesman at the start of the Biden administration, will work directly for Blinken, the secretary said Tuesday.

Price is the Biden administration's longest-serving federal agency spokesperson, The Associated Press reported. He will be replaced by his deputy, Vendant Patel, until a permanent successor is named.

"Ned’s firm grasp of the policies underlying our messaging made him that much more effective in his role. On a personal level, I have constantly benefited from his counsel, as have so many members of the Department," Blinken said.