At the swearing-in ceremony for new Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Michael Hammer, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton donned Mardi Gras beads and matching purple sunglasses. The Hill reported that Clinton’s speech went as follows:

“Well, I have been waiting for this day a long time because we are here finally, officially to swear in our Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Mike Hammer. Now we’re also here to celebrate the color purple,” Clinton said referencing Hammer’s favorite color. “And, Mike, I was in a real dilemma. I have pantsuits in nearly every color except purple. And so I’ve got to get appropriately attired.”

Clinton then pulled out a long wooden box to the podium and produced purple Mardi Gras beads and huge purple fashion rings.