It’s old now. But you astute to the words of the wily Secretary of State meant to change the meanings. To introduce a new statement into your world and her world view.

Washington runs in circles. And their words slowly spin out into the wheat-fields a grow into corn as far as the eye can see.

The military spin of “vetting” is a required verb. So is “status quo ante” — but she left off the whole phrase, which is

“status quo ante bellum”

maybe the ante bellum felt too close for auntie.

So you don’t have to wonder “ante bellum” means “before war”.