United States Secretary of State facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United States Secretary of State |
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Flag of the Secretary of State
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Seal of the Secretary of State
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| United States Department of State | |
| Style | Mr. Secretary (informal) The Honorable (formal) His Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Abbreviation | SecState |
| Member of | Cabinet of the United States United States National Security Council |
| Reports to | President of the United States |
| Seat | Harry S Truman Building Washington, D.C. |
| Appointer | President of the United States
with advice and consent of the Senate
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| Term length | No fixed term |
| Constituting instrument | 22 U.S.C. § 2651 |
| Precursor | Secretary of Foreign Affairs |
| Formation | July 27, 1789 |
| First holder | Thomas Jefferson |
| Succession | Fourth |
| Deputy | United States Deputy Secretary of State |
| Salary | Executive Schedule, Level I |
The United States Secretary of State is a very important person in the U.S. government. They are part of the executive branch, which is led by the President. This person is also the head of the U.S. Department of State.
The Secretary of State is the main helper for the President on everything about foreign countries. They make sure the President's plans for dealing with other nations are carried out. This work is done through the State Department. The State Department includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
This job is the second-highest position in the President's Cabinet. Only the Vice President is higher. The Secretary of State is also fourth in line to become President if something happens to the President. This makes them the highest-ranking Cabinet member in the line of succession.
The job was created in 1789. Thomas Jefferson was the very first Secretary of State. This person represents the United States to other countries. Because of this, their role is like a foreign minister or secretary in other nations. The President chooses who will be Secretary of State. Then, the Senate must approve the choice. This happens after a special meeting called a confirmation hearing.
The Secretary of State is one of the four most important Cabinet members. The others are the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, and the Attorney General. These jobs are seen as crucial because their departments are so important. As of January 2025, the Secretary of State earns a salary of $250,600.
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How the Secretary of State Job Started
The idea for the Secretary of State came from the first U.S. government. This was under the Articles of Confederation. In 1781, the government created the Department of Foreign Affairs. They also made the job of Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
After the Constitution of the United States was approved, the first U.S. Congress changed things. They brought back the department but called it the Department of State. They also created the job of Secretary of State to lead it.
What the Secretary of State Does
The main jobs of the Secretary of State are to manage the U.S. foreign service and immigration policy. They also run the Department of State. The Secretary advises the President on many foreign matters. This includes choosing diplomats and ambassadors. They also advise the President on when to remove these people from their jobs.
What are the Qualifications of a Secretary of State? He ought to be a Man of universal Reading in Laws, Governments, History. Our whole terrestrial Universe ought to be summarily comprehended in his Mind.
The Secretary of State can also talk with other countries to make or end treaties. These are agreements about foreign policy. They can also join international meetings and groups as a representative for the United States. The Secretary tells Congress and the public about U.S. foreign policy issues. They also help U.S. citizens who live or travel abroad. This includes giving them passports. By doing this, they help keep citizens, their belongings, and their interests safe in other countries.
The Secretary of State also has some duties within the United States. Many of these older duties were moved to other government groups over time. But some still remain. These include keeping and using the Great Seal of the United States. They also handle special protocol duties for the White House. This means making sure official events follow proper rules. They also help write certain official announcements.
The Secretary also works with individual states. This is to send people who have committed crimes back to foreign countries. This is called extradition. Also, if a President or Vice President resigns, it must be written down. This document must be given to the Secretary of State. For example, when President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned, their letters went to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
Sometimes, Congress adds new duties to the Secretary of State's job. One example is a law passed in 2014. This law requires the Secretary of State to help bring back children who have been taken from their homes in other countries. This applies to countries that are part of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
The Secretary of State is the highest-ranking member of the Cabinet. They are the third-highest official in the U.S. government's executive branch. The President and Vice President are higher. They are also fourth in line to become President. This is after the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, and the President pro tempore of the Senate.
Six people who were Secretary of State later became President. These include Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, and James Buchanan. Many others have tried to become President but did not win. This includes people like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.
Timeline of Secretaries of State
This timeline shows all the Secretaries of State. It also shows their political party when they started the job.
See also
- List of secretaries of state of the United States
- List of international trips made by secretaries of state of the United States
