Seat Washington, D.C. Formation July 13, 1972 | Term length No fixed term First holder John N. Irwin, II | |
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Reports to The United States Secretary of State Appointer The President
with Senate advice and consent | ||
The Deputy Secretary of State of the United States is the principal deputy to the Secretary of State. 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 position is currently vacant, pending a nomination by Donald Trump. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. currently serves as the acting Deputy Secretary.
The State Department is the only federal Cabinet-level agency with two co-equal Deputy Secretaries. (See Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.) This Deputy Secretary of State office is 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.