Significant Shift in U.S. Diplomatic Appointments Sparks Concerns
In a marked departure from tradition, the composition of U.S. ambassadors under the Trump administration has seen a notable shift. Typically, two-thirds of these positions are filled by career foreign service professionals. However, the current administration has favored political appointees, leaving seasoned diplomats with limited advancement opportunities.
The State Department is witnessing an uptick in retirements among its Foreign Service officers. Similar to the military, the Foreign Service operates on an “up or out” system, requiring diplomats to secure promotions to remain. Under the Trump administration, many experienced officers find progression increasingly challenging. NPR’s Michele Kelemen provides further insights.
Veteran diplomat Kelly Adams-Smith reflects on her recent retirement after 28 years of service, a sentiment echoed by others still eager to continue their contributions.
KELLY ADAMS-SMITH: “It’s heartbreaking, staggering. We had experts on every area of the world going out the door at a very senior level.”
Although Adams-Smith was set to become ambassador to Moldova, her nomination was stalled in the Senate during the Biden administration. Upon Trump’s return, she received an impersonal email informing her she was no longer a nominee and needed to find another role within the State Department.
Adams-Smith laments, “It was our job to give the American taxpayer a return on that investment. And we have not been able to do that now.”
The State Department attributes the rise in retirements partly to officers previously involved with the now-defunct U.S. Agency for International Development. They assert that career ambassadors are encouraged to seek new roles, yet opportunities remain scarce. Former ambassador to Estonia, George Kent, who retired after being effectively dismissed on the first day of Trump’s administration, notes a significant increase in retirements.
GEORGE KENT: “What this shows is that under the second Trump administration, there’s a concerted effort to make senior Foreign Service officers feel unwelcome, not give them onward assignments and to try to create the conditions in which they retire, leave willingly, so that they are no longer within the system.”
Historically, 70% of American ambassadors have been career diplomats. However, under Trump, political appointees make up over 90% of appointments, leading to a decline in the Foreign Service’s numbers.
Kent observes, “We’ve lost 20, 25% of our Foreign Service officers over the last 16 months, and my guess is that will take a decade to recover, just on the personnel side, not to mention institutional integrity.”
Daniel Rosenblum, who stepped down as ambassador to Kazakhstan last year, shares these concerns about the long-term impact.
DANIEL ROSENBLUM: “The real thing that haunts many of us as we’re looking at it is – how bad will the damage be, and how long will it take to recover?”
Social media channels are abuzz with news of retirements, including that of acting ambassador to Ukraine, Julie Davis. The State Department recalled about 30 career ambassadors from overseas positions last year, with many now heading towards retirement.
ROSENBLUM: “Very few, if any of them, have found opportunities, and most of them are heading towards retirement.”
With over 80 embassies currently without ambassadors, Adams-Smith warns of America’s diminishing diplomatic presence in the face of global competition.
ADAMS-SMITH: “We have more than 80 embassies without an ambassador right now. We are disarming. We’re unilaterally disarming. Russia or China would never do that.”
Despite the challenges, Adams-Smith continues to inspire young minds at American University, promoting the Foreign Service as a viable career path. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, the State Department.
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