Multiple sources familiar with the matter have revealed that more than a dozen career State Department officials serving in senior roles were asked to step down from their positions. This request was made prior to Monday’s presidential inauguration. These officials held key posts in both management and policy, including assistant secretaries of state, and some were among the most senior diplomats at the State Department.
While it is customary for an incoming administration to appoint its own officials to senior roles, career officials often remain in their positions while awaiting Senate confirmation of the new appointees. The swift and extensive nature of these requests has raised concerns and led to speculation about a potential major overhaul of the career foreign service.
One former senior diplomat expressed the view that this move is likely the initial step towards a significant purge and restructuring of the career foreign service within the State Department.
Among those asked to step down was John Bass, who had been serving as the undersecretary for political affairs, the third-highest ranking position at the State Department. In a farewell address to staff, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Bass, describing him as an exceptional Foreign Service officer.
The newly appointed Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is scheduled to address the State Department workforce at its headquarters in Washington, DC, later today. The situation continues to develop, and sources have reached out to the State Department for further comments and clarification.
