Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of State
Sets Order of Succession for Secretary of State Office
What it does
Designated State Department officials must serve as acting Secretary in the listed order when the Secretary cannot perform duties.
Real-world impact
- Clarifies who leads the State Department if the Secretary is unavailable.
- Only Senate‑confirmed officials may serve as acting Secretary under this order.
- President may choose a different acting Secretary when permitted by law.
Topics
Summary
This order sets a clear line of who will act as Secretary of State if the Secretary dies, resigns, or cannot perform duties. It lists specific department officials in a fixed order to step in and carry out the Secretary's responsibilities.
The order affects senior leaders at the State Department and ensures continuity of foreign policy leadership. It also requires that only officials appointed by the President with Senate approval may serve as acting Secretary, bars officials already serving in acting roles, and preserves the President's discretion to depart from the list when allowed by law.
Questions, answered
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications. Try:
- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
- “What are the practical implications of this order?”