So here’s what I observed. The last time I went in there, last year, I was greeted at the entrance by the smiling faces of DT and Pompeo. This time, that space was blank. Nothing hanging there at all, just the hooks in the wall.

I asked the clerk after I got my paperwork done when they would replace the portraits. She said, first the prez must sit for an official portrait, then it would be mailed overseas to them to display. Some presidents do it quickly but for others it’s not a high priority. She said previous presidents (not specific which ones) took up to six months to get it done. She also added that the Secretary of State must be confirmed first then take an official portrait So. It is what it is.

Bonus- NONE of the workers in there were wearing masks. I should have inquired about that, what with the EO and all haha. I’d add that it’s intriguing to me that they don’t wear masks because Taiwan is a heavily masked society and all people going to AIT for services are required to wear masks. Hm.