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.
