United States Assistant Secretary of State

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 at the department 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
  • Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
• Reporting to the under secretary of state for foreign assistance, humanitarian affairs and religious freedom:
  • Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
  • Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration
  • Assistant Secretary of State for Global Health Security and Diplomacy

The following roles also possess a rank equivalent to assistant secretary:

• 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

List of assistant secretaries of state, 1853–1937

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.

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.

Defunct offices including the designation of Assistant Secretary of State

• Assistant Secretary of State for Occupied Areas

References

References

1. (January 26, 2017). "Assistant Secretaries and Other Senior Officials". [[U.S. Department of State]].
2. (January 20, 2009). "Assistant Secretaries and Equivalent Rank". [[U.S. Department of State]].
3. (March 2014). "Department Organization Chart". [[U.S. Department of State]].
4. (November 16, 2017). "Career vs. Other Appointments: Assistant Secretary Equivalents". [[American Foreign Service Association]].
5. Served as [[United States Secretary of State#List of Acting Secretaries of State. Acting Secretary of State]], but not during term as Assistant Secretary of State.
6. Served as [[United States Secretary of State#List of Acting Secretaries of State. Acting Secretary of State]]