Top US diplomats leave State Department

[webfact]

Top US diplomats leave State Department

By Barbara Plett Usher

BBC State Department correspondent

 

WASHINGTON: -- Top US diplomats in the State Department's senior management team are leaving their posts during President Donald Trump's first week on the job.

 

Their departure puts more pressure on the incoming Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is still awaiting confirmation by the Senate, to fill the crucial positions that keep the Department running smoothly.

 

They include the Undersecretary for Management Patrick Kennedy, two assistant secretaries, Joyce Barr and Michele Bond, and Gentry Smith, who directs the office of foreign missions.

 

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38760560

 

-- © Copyright BBC 2017-01-27

[Pib]

They are only leaving because the Trump administration asked (directed) them to leave.  This way Donald can refill the positions with his billionaires/millionaires.   All incoming new administrations do this, especially when it's a change of political parties.  

 

But the Trump administration has asked far few folks to stay on for X-months until they can get their billionaires/millionaires appointed/confirmed into the positions...get  their own replacement alligators into the swamp.

[mercman24]

cant see why billionaires as you call them would be interested in an office job lol

[Pib]

for ego purposes and future business relationships.

[Pib]

Donald's Billionaire/Millionaire Cabinet...well dressed alligators for his swamp.

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/donald-trumps-14-billion-cabinet/

 

 

[mike324]

Trumps agenda is to have less regulation - pollute the US more so manufacturers can be competitive like China, what a great strategy!

[zydeco]

That's right, folks. It's no longer business as usual, where the elites in government and media take turns at the trough, sucking up taxpayer dollars.  A new day has dawned. America first.  And all the State Dept. bureaucrats and foreign policy hangers-on who put foreigners first are being shown the door. Once and for all.

[mtls2005]

I have seen Kristie Kenney's name (previous U.S. Ambassador to Thailand) on some of the lists as being scheduled to leave, then being asked to stay, if only temporarily. She is the Department's Counselor.

 

http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/01/18/trumps-national-security-team-is-missing-in-action/

 

No clue what her status is as of this most recent dust-up.

 

 

[kamahele]

This is normal as they are political appointees, however there are no bodies to replace them yet so perhaps a bit premature to give them their walking papers.

[IAMHERE]

They were political appointments; those slots go to loyal democrats some years and to loyal republican in others. Problem is there aren't that many loyal republicans to choose from these days.

[muffy]

Out with the old , in with the new .

[connda]

Out with the old, in with the new. 

[Thakkar]

Here's an updated State Department Org Chart.
Blue X's are unfilled appointee positions. 
Red X's are resignations.

 

[otherstuff1957]

Actually, the political appointees all tendered their resignations already, as is the normal procedure.   A few of them were asked to stay on until they could be replaced, but most of them left a week or more ago.

 

This round of resignations/firings is of career diplomats, not political appointees.

[Opl]

The new US ambassador to the United Nations assured today that the United States "will show their strength" within the organization, warning countries that would oppose the diplomacy of President Donald Trump.
US ambassador @nikkihaley 1st day at office says to the #UN members, "that don't have our back we're taking names".threatened Nikki Haley, addressing journalists at the UN.

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2017 by Opl

[Penicillin]

4 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

Actually, the political appointees all tendered their resignations already, as is the normal procedure.   A few of them were asked to stay on until they could be replaced, but most of them left a week or more ago.

 

This round of resignations/firings is of career diplomats, not political appointees.

An astute, accurate and apolitical comment.  Well done !

[funandsuninbangkok]

15 hours ago, Pib said:

They are only leaving because the Trump administration asked (directed) them to leave.  This way Donald can refill the positions with his billionaires/millionaires.   All incoming new administrations do this, especially when it's a change of political parties.  

 

But the Trump administration has asked far few folks to stay on for X-months until they can get their billionaires/millionaires appointed/confirmed into the positions...get  their own replacement alligators into the swamp.

These TOP Diplomates accomplished:

 

premature pull out from Iraq just when order had finally been restored 

 

Massive increase in US forces into Afghanistan to try to build a democratic nation from a Stone Age society

 

Lead from behind to depose Quadafi and ensure a total meltdown in Libia

 

Encourage a Green Revolution in Iran and then watch it get crushed

 

two coups in Egypt after the first one did not work to their liking

 

Syria - well let's just not mention that

 

Ukraine  upraising. Putin finally had had enough and invaded the Crimea. 

 

Piviot to Asia. 1500 marines in Australia !!!!  Speak loudly and carry a meek stick. 

 

Oh and great job on Thailand. Bangkok embassy staff need to brush up on their Mandarin. 

 

But hey GLBTG crowd can now use the bathroom they self identify rather than what is between their legs!

 

Idiots all of them. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out of Foggy Bottom

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2017 by funandsuninbangkok

[thaibeachlovers]

Headlines like this try to make a crisis from nothing. All government departments have deputies and other leaders that will carry on as usual. As far as the political appointees are concerned, the departments will probably function better without them.

[SaintLouisBlues]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Headlines like this try to make a crisis from nothing. All government departments have deputies and other leaders that will carry on as usual. As far as the political appointees are concerned, the departments will probably function better without them.

None of The Donald's appointments to government positions are "political"? What a relief

[JAG]

6 minutes ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

None of The Donald's appointments to government positions are "political"? What a relief

Well there is a case for saying that many of his appointments are driven by something else (business?) rather than political considerations..

[SaintLouisBlues]

2 minutes ago, JAG said:

Well there is a case for saying that many of his appointments are driven by something else (business?) rather than political considerations..

Either they're career public servants or they're political ie. made by a politician