The statement by Nauert, named to her post a month ago, was significant because Hungarian officials had dismissed earlier State Department declarations on CEU, saying they came from U.S. diplomats in place before the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said the amendments passed in April seek to put all universities in Hungary on equal footing and eliminate "unfair advantages" enjoyed by CEU, such as its ability to issue diplomas recognized both in Hungary and the U.S., where it is accredited in New York state.