Secretary of State of the United States

Secretary of State of the United States
Post	Secretary of State
Body	the United States
Insigniasize	120
Insigniacaption	Seal of the U.S. Department of State
Flagsize	120
Flagcaption	Flag of the Secretary of State
Incumbent	Antony Blinken
Incumbentsince	January 26, 2021
Department	United States Department of State
Style	Mr. Secretary (informal), The Honorable (formal), His Excellency (diplomatic)
Member of	Cabinet, National Security Council, Homeland Security Council
Reports to	President of the United States
Seat	Harry S Truman Building, Washington, D.C.
Nominator	President of the United States
Appointer	President of the United States, with Senate advice and consent
Termlength	No fixed term
Constituting instrument	United States Constitution
Formation	July 27, 1789
First	Thomas Jefferson
Succession	Fourth
Salary	Executive Schedule, Level I

Secretary of State of the United States is the head of the United States Department of State and the principal foreign policy advisor to the President of the United States. The position was created in 1789 as the first Cabinet-level office, with Thomas Jefferson serving as the inaugural secretary. The secretary is a key member of the National Security Council and is fourth in the United States presidential line of succession.

History and creation

The office was established by the First Congress of the United States through the Foreign Affairs Act of 1789, signed by President George Washington. Initially tasked with managing a limited set of diplomatic duties, the department's role expanded significantly following events like the Louisiana Purchase and the Spanish–American War. Key historical figures who shaped the office include John Quincy Adams, architect of the Monroe Doctrine, and William H. Seward, who oversaw the Alaska Purchase. The Cold War and subsequent global conflicts, such as the Vietnam War and the War in Afghanistan, further cemented the secretary's central role in executing American grand strategy.

Duties and responsibilities

The secretary's primary duty is the formulation and execution of U.S. foreign policy. This involves overseeing the United States Foreign Service, managing American embassies and consulates worldwide, and negotiating treaties and international agreements, which require ratification by the United States Senate. The secretary also represents the United States at international forums like the United Nations and the G7, and provides counsel on matters of national security to the White House. Day-to-day operations include issuing passports and travel advisories, and delivering reports to Congress.

Appointment and succession

The secretary is nominated by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by a majority vote in the United States Senate, following hearings typically held by the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The office has no fixed term, serving at the pleasure of the president. In the presidential line of succession, the secretary follows the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the United States Senate. Notable rejections by the Senate include the nomination of John Rutledge to be Chief Justice of the United States, though he had previously served as secretary.

List of secretaries of state

Seventy-one individuals have served as secretary, with Thomas Jefferson being the first and Antony Blinken the current incumbent. Several secretaries later ascended to the presidency, including Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, and James Buchanan. The longest-serving secretary was Cordell Hull, who served under President Franklin D. Roosevelt for nearly eleven years during pivotal events like World War II and the founding of the United Nations. Other notable holders include Henry Kissinger, who pioneered shuttle diplomacy following the Yom Kippur War, and Madeleine Albright, the first woman to hold the office.

Relationship with the president

The relationship dynamic varies by administration, ranging from close partnerships like that between President George W. Bush and Colin Powell during the Iraq War, to more strained interactions, such as between President Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan over neutrality in World War I. The secretary often acts as the president's chief public emissary abroad, engaging directly with leaders like the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom or the President of France. Internally, the secretary may contend for influence with other cabinet officials, such as the United States Secretary of Defense or the National Security Advisor.

In popular culture

The secretary of state is frequently depicted in film, television, and literature, often as a figure of high-stakes drama. Notable portrayals include the character of Henry McCord on the television series Madam Secretary and fictional secretaries in films like Air Force One and The West Wing. The office and the Harry S Truman Building have been settings in thrillers by authors like Tom Clancy. Real-life secretaries, such as Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, have also been satirized on programs like Saturday Night Live.

Category:United States Secretaries of State Category:1789 establishments in the United States Category:United States Department of State