United States Assistant Secretary of State
{{Short description|High-ranking American diplomat}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
Assistant Secretary of State (A/S) is a title used for many executive positions in the United States Department of State, ranking below the under secretaries.{{cite web|title=Assistant Secretaries and Other Senior Officials|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/title/as|publisher=U.S. Department of State|date=January 26, 2017|access-date=January 26, 2017}} A set of six assistant secretaries reporting to the under secretary for political affairs manage diplomatic missions within their designated geographic regions, plus one assistant secretary dealing with international organizations and one equivalent as the coordinator/ambassador at large for counterterrorism. Assistant secretaries usually manage individual bureaus of the Department of State. When the manager of a bureau or another agency holds a title other than assistant secretary, such as "director", it can be said to be of "assistant secretary equivalent rank". Assistant secretaries typically have a set of deputies, referred to as deputy assistant secretaries (DAS).
History
From 1853 until 1913, the assistant secretary of state was the second-ranking official within the U.S. Department of State. Prior to 1853, the chief clerk was the second-ranking officer, and after 1913, the counselor was the second-ranking position, though the assistant secretary continued to be a position until 1924. From 1867, the assistant secretary of state was assisted by a second assistant secretary of state, and from 1875, by a third assistant secretary of state. Specific duties of the incumbents varied over the years and included such responsibilities as supervising the Diplomatic and Consular Bureaus, general supervision of correspondence, consular appointments, administration of the Department, and supervision of economic matters and various geographic divisions.
Overview
Today, the title of the second-ranking position is the deputy secretary of state, with the next tier of State Department officials bearing the rank of under secretary of state.
The following is a list of current offices bearing the title of "Assistant Secretary of State":
- Reporting directly to the secretary of state:
- Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research
- Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
- Reporting to the under secretary of state for political affairs:
- Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
- Reporting to the under secretary of state for management:
- Assistant Secretary of State for Administration
- Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security
- Reporting to the under secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment:
- Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources
- Reporting to the under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs:
- Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs
- Reporting to the under secretary of state for arms control and international security:
- Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation
- Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability
- Reporting to the under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights:
- Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations
- Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
- Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
- Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration
The following roles also possess a rank equivalent to assistant secretary:{{cite web|title=Assistant Secretaries and Equivalent Rank|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/c7649.htm|date=January 20, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2016|publisher=U.S. Department of State}}{{cite web|title=Department Organization Chart|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/99494.htm|date=March 2014|access-date=April 4, 2016|publisher=U.S. Department of State}}{{cite web|title=Career vs. Other Appointments: Assistant Secretary Equivalents|url=http://www.afsa.org/career-vs-other-appointments-assistant-secretary-equivalents|publisher=American Foreign Service Association|date=November 16, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2017}}
- Chief of Protocol of the United States, with the rank of ambassador
- Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of ambassador-at-large
- Special Assistant to the Secretary and Executive Secretary of the Department
- Inspector General of the Department of State
- Legal Adviser
- Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent
- Director, Policy Planning Staff
- Ambassador at Large for Global Women's Issues
- Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice
- Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom
- Ambassador at Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
- Ambassador at Large for Global Health Security and Diplomacy
- Director of the Foreign Service Institute
- Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State
- Chief Information Officer of the Department
- Director, Office of Foreign Missions, with rank of ambassador
- Director of Budget and Planning
- Comptroller of the Department
- Chief Economist of the Department
- Director Foreign Assistance
- Chief Medical Officer and Designated Agency Safety and Health Official
- Director, Office of Civil Rights
- Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
- Director, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions
- Director of Overseas Buildings Operations
Current assistant secretaries of state
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Office
!Incumbent
!data-sort-type="date" |Term began
|-
! colspan="3" |
= Reporting to the [[Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs|under secretary of state for political affairs]] =
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for African Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0120.html 1 FAM 121]}}
|data-sort-value="Fitrell, Troy" align="center" |100px
Troy Fitrell
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0120.html 1 FAM 131]}}
|data-sort-value="O'Neill, Sean" align="center" |
Sean O'Neill
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0140.html 1 FAM 141]}}
|data-sort-value="Bono, Louis L." align="center" |
Louis L. Bono
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0160.html 1 FAM 161]}}
|data-sort-value="Lenderking, Timothy A." align="center" |100px
Timothy A. Lenderking
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0170.html 1 FAM 171]}}
|data-sort-value="Meyer, Eric" align="center" |
Eric Meyer
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0150.html 1 FAM 151]}}
|data-sort-value="Kozak, Michael" align="center" |100px
Michael Kozak
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0330.html 1 FAM 331]}}
|data-sort-value="Pitt, McCoy" align="center" |
McCoy Pitt
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Coordinator for Counterterrorism" |75px
Coordinator for Counterterrorism
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0480.html 1 FAM 481]}}
|data-sort-value="LoGerfo, Gregory D." align="center" |
Gregory D. LoGerfo
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
! colspan="3" |
= Reporting to the [[Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment|under secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment]] =
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0420.html 1 FAM 421]}}
|data-sort-value="Holman, Amy" align="center" |100px
Amy Holman
|June 28, 2024
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0540.html 1 FAM 541]}}
|data-sort-value="Fernandes, Tony" align="center" |
Tony Fernandes
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0460.html 1 FAM 461]}}
|data-sort-value="Lochman, Laura" align="center" |
Laura Lochman
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
! colspan="3" |
= Reporting to the [[Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security|under secretary of state for arms control and international security]] =
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0440.html 1 FAM 441]}}
|data-sort-value="Dean, Paul" align="center" |
Paul Dean
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0450.html 1 FAM 451]}}
|data-sort-value="Watzlavick, Paul" align="center" |
Paul Watzlavick
|March 7, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0410.html 1 FAM 411]}}
|data-sort-value="Holstnider, James W. " align="center" |100px
James W. Holstnider
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
! colspan="3" |
= Reporting to the [[Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs|under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs]] =
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0340.html 1 FAM 341]}}
|data-sort-value="Beattie, Darren" align="center" |100px
Darren Beattie
|February 4, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0320.html 1 FAM 321]}}
|data-sort-value="Exner, Michele P." align="center" |
Michele P. Exner
|March 19, 2025
|-
! colspan="3" |
= Reporting to the [[Under Secretary of State for Management|under secretary of state for management]] =
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Administration" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Administration
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0210.html 1 FAM 211]}}
|data-sort-value="Cunnigham, José" align="center" |100px
José Cunningham
|March 24, 2025
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0250.html 1 FAM 251]}}
|data-sort-value=" Armstrong, John" align="center" |
John Armstrong
|February 27, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0260.html 1 FAM 261]}}
|data-sort-value="Matus, Carlos" align="center" |100px
Carlos Matus
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Director of Human Resources" |75px
Director General of the Foreign Service
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0230.html 1 FAM 231]}}
|data-sort-value="Olowski, Lew" align="center" |
Lew Olowski
|April 7, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Director of Foreign Service Institute" |75px
Director of the Foreign Service Institute
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0290.html 1 FAM 291]}}
|data-sort-value="Polaschik, Joan" align="center" |100px
Joan A. Polaschik
|May 20, 2022
|-
! colspan="3" |
= Reporting to the [[Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights|under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights]] =
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0510.html 1 FAM 511]}}
|data-sort-value="Barnes, Riley M.," align="center" |
Riley M. Barnes
|February 10, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0520.html 1 FAM 521]}}
|
|
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0530.html 1 FAM 531]}}
|data-sort-value="Weiland, F. Cartwright," align="center" |
F. Cartwright Weiland
|January 20, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Conflict and Stabilization Operations" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0470.html 1 FAM 471]}}
|data-sort-value="Kringel, Neal," align="center" |
Neal Kringel
|March 3, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
! colspan="3" |
= Reporting directly to the [[United States Secretary of State|secretary of state]] =
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0310.html 1 FAM 311]}}
|data-sort-value="Laidlaw, Philip" align="center" |100px
Philip Laidlaw
|December 20, 2024
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Research" |75px
Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research
{{small|[https://fam.state.gov/FAM/01FAM/01FAM0430.html 1 FAM 431]}}
|data-sort-value="Blome, Donald" align="center" |100px
Donald Blome
|February 3, 2025
{{small|Acting}}
|-
|}
List of assistant secretaries of state, 1853–1937
| class="wikitable"
!rowspan="1"| # !rowspan="1"| Picture !rowspan="1"| Name !rowspan="1"| State of residency !colspan="1"| Term of office !rowspan="1"| President(s) served under !rowspan="1"| Secretary of State(s) served under |
| 1
|March 23, 1853 – May 8, 1855 |
| 2
| File:William Hunter, Jr. (1805–1886).jpg |William HunterServed as Acting Secretary of State, but not during term as Assistant Secretary of State. |May 9, 1855 – October 31, 1855 |
| 3
| |November 1, 1855 – April 3, 1857 |
| 4
|April 4, 1857 – June 10, 1860 |
| 5
|File:William Henry Trescot2.jpg |June 8, 1860 – December 20, 1860 |
| 6
|File:Frederick W. Seward - Brady-Handy.jpg |March 6, 1861 – March 4, 1869 |
| 7
|March 25, 1869 – November 13, 1871 |
| 8
|File:CharlesHale ca1861 Boston.png |February 19, 1872 – January 24, 1873 |
| 9
|January 24, 1873 – January 30, 1874 |
| 10
| File:John Lambert Cadwalader.jpg | New York |June 17, 1874 – March 20, 1877 |
| 11
|March 16, 1877 – October 31, 1879 |
| 12
|File:John Hay, bw photo portrait, 1897.jpg |Ohio |November 1, 1879 – May 3, 1881 |
| 13
|May 4, 1881 – December 19, 1881 |
| 14
|December 19, 1881 – July 7, 1882 |
| 15
| |July 7, 1882 – February 23, 1885 |
| 16
| File:Porter-james-davis-photograph.jpg |March 20, 1885 – September 17, 1887 |
| 17
| File:G.L. Rives LCCN2014700687 (cropped).jpg |November 19, 1887 – March 5, 1889 |
| 18
|William F. WhartonServed as Acting Secretary of State |April 2, 1889 – March 20, 1893 |
| 19
| File:Josiah Quincy 35thMayor.png |March 20, 1893 – September 22, 1893 |
| 20
|November 1, 1893 – February 11, 1896 |
| 21
|File:William Woodville Rockhill.jpg |February 11, 1896 – May 10, 1897 |
| 22
|File:William Rufus Day, bw photo portrait, 1906.jpg |Ohio |May 3, 1897 – April 27, 1898 |
| 23
|April 27, 1898 – September 16, 1898 |
| 24
|October 25, 1898 – January 28, 1903 |
| 25
|File:Francis B. Loomis (sketch).gif |Ohio |January 7, 1903 – October 10, 1905 |
| 26
|September 5, 1905 – January 27, 1909 |
| 27
|File:John Callan O'Laughlin (1873–1949).png |January 27, 1909 – March 5, 1909 |
| 28
|March 5, 1909 – March 19, 1913 |
| 29
|April 21, 1913 – December 14, 1916 |
| 30
|75px |January 24, 1917 – March 25, 1920 |
| 31
|75px |March 11, 1921 – February 28, 1922 |
| 32
|File:Leland Harrison LOC npcc.05751 (cropped).jpg |March 31, 1922 – June 30, 1924 |
| 32
|File:CARR, WILBUR J., HONORABLE.jpg |Ohio |July 1, 1924 – July 28, 1937 |Calvin Coolidge |Charles Evans Hughes |
Second Assistant Secretary of State
The Consular and Diplomatic Appropriations Act for the year ending June 30, 1867 authorized the president to appoint a second assistant secretary of state. Duties of incumbents varied less over the years than did those of the other assistant secretary positions. Responsibilities included: supervision of correspondence with diplomatic officers; preparation of drafts of treaties, conventions, diplomatic notes, and instructions; detailed treatment of current diplomatic and political questions; approval of correspondence for the signature of the secretary or acting secretary; and consultation on matters of diplomatic procedure, international law and policy, and traditional practices of the department. The Foreign Service Act of 1924 abolished numerical titles for assistant secretaries of state. Only two people held the position from 1866 to 1924.
| class="wikitable"
!rowspan="1"| # !rowspan="1"| Picture !rowspan="1"| Name !rowspan="1"| State of Residency !colspan="1"| Term of Office !rowspan="1"| President(s) served under !rowspan="1"| Secretary of State(s) served under |
| 1
|75px |July 27, 1866 - July 22, 1886 |Andrew Johnson |William H. Seward |
| 2
|75px |August 3, 1886 - June 30, 1924 |Grover Cleveland |Thomas F. Bayard, Sr. |
Third Assistant Secretary of State
A federal appropriations act for the year ending Jun 30, 1875 (Jun 20, 1874; 18 Stat. 90), authorized the president to appoint a third assistant secretary of state. The secretary of state was authorized to prescribe the duties of the assistant secretaries and other Department of State employees, "and may make changes and transfers therein when, in his judgment, it becomes necessary." The third assistant secretary's duties varied over the years, including such diverse assignments as: supervision of several geographic divisions; oversight of the bureaus of accounts and appointments; international conferences and commissions; and ceremonials and protocol, including presentation to the president of chiefs of foreign diplomatic missions. The Foreign Service Act of 1924 (May 24, 1924; 43 Stat 146) abolished numerical titles for assistant secretaries of state.
| class="wikitable"
!rowspan="1"| # !rowspan="1"| Picture !rowspan="1"| Name !rowspan="1"| State of Residency !colspan="1"| Term of Office !rowspan="1"| President(s) served under !rowspan="1"| Secretary of State(s) served under |
| 1
|75px |February 24, 1875 - November 30, 1877 |
| 2
| |June 22, 1878 - June 30, 1881 |
| 3
| 75px |July 1, 1881 - June 30, 1882 |
| 4
|75px |July 18, 1882 - August 5, 1886 |
| 5
|75px |August 6, 1886 - September 30, 1891 |
| 6
| 75px |February 15, 1892 - April 16, 1893 |
| 7
|75px |April 17, 1893 - April 16, 1894 |
| 8
|75px |District of Columbia, Maryland |April 17, 1894 - February 13, 1896 |
| 9
| 75px |February 29, 1896 - April 1, 1897 |
| 10
|75px |April 8, 1897 - November 15, 1901 |
| 11
| 75px |November 16, 1901 - June 22, 1906 |
| 12
| 75px |July 2, 1906 - December 30, 1908 |
| 13
|75px |January 11, 1909 - October 13, 1909 |
| 14
|75px |October 14, 1909 - April 21, 1913 |
| 15
|75px |April 22, 1913 - November 22, 1913 |
| 16
|75px |March 17, 1914 - January 24, 1917 |
| 17
|75px |January 29, 1917 - June 8, 1920 |
| 18
| |June 24, 1920 - March 4, 1921 |
| 19
| 75px |March 16, 1921 - May 3, 1923 |
| 20
|75px |June 11, 1923 - June 30, 1924 |
Defunct offices including the designation of Assistant Secretary of State
See also
- :Category:United States Assistant Secretaries of State, which includes some holders of post-1924 positions named Assistant Secretary of State
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/436.htm The Department of State's organization page].
- [https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/po/c1791.htm The Department of State's list of current or former positions and titles].
- [https://1997-2001.state.gov/www/about_state/history/officers/asec5324.html The Department of State's list of Assistant Secretaries of State during the time it was the second-ranking position].
- [https://1997-2001.state.gov/www/about_state/history/officers/sasec.html The Department of State's list of Second Assistant Secretaries of State during the time it was the third-ranking position].
- [https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/principalofficers/assistant-secretary2 Assistant Secretaries of State]
{{United States Department of State}}
{{United States Assistant Secretaries of State}}