United States Deputy Secretary of State

Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America
Seal of the Department of State
Flag of the Deputy Secretary of State
Incumbent
Kurt M. Campbell
since February 12, 2024
Department of State
Reports toThe United States Secretary of State
SeatWashington, D.C.
AppointerThe President of the United States
with Senate advice and consent
Term lengthNo fixed term
FormationJuly 13, 1972
First holderJohn N. Irwin II
SalaryExecutive Schedule, Level 2
WebsiteOfficial website

The deputy secretary of state of the United States is the principal deputy to the secretary of state. As of February 2024, the position is held by Kurt M. Campbell, who is serving under United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken. If the secretary of state resigns or dies, the deputy secretary of state becomes acting secretary of state until the president nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. The position was created in 1972. Prior to July 13, 1972, the under secretary of state had been the second ranking officer of the Department of State.

The State Department is the only federal cabinet-level agency to have two co-equal deputy secretaries. The second deputy secretary of state, the deputy secretary of state for management and resources, serves as the "first assistant" for the purposes of the Vacancies Reform Act, but both deputy secretaries have full delegated authority to act for the secretary, if not otherwise prohibited by law.

Certain deputy secretaries of state went on to become appointed as the secretary of state, such as Lawrence Eagleburger in 1992,[1] Warren Christopher in 1993,[2] and Antony Blinken in 2021.[3]

  1. ^ "Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Lawrence Sidney Eagleburger (1930–2011)". U.S. Department of State. n.d. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Warren Minor Christopher (1925–2011)". U.S. Department of State. n.d. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Antony Blinken (1962–)". U.S. Department of State. n.d. Retrieved March 10, 2021.

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