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United States Deputy Secretary of State facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Deputy Secretary of State is a very important job in the United States. Think of them as the main helper to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is like the country's top diplomat, dealing with other countries around the world.

Quick facts for kids
United States Deputy Secretary of State
Flag of the United States Deputy Secretary of State.svg
Flag of the deputy secretary of state
US Department of State official seal.svg
Seal of the Department of State
Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau Official Portrait.png
Incumbent
Christopher Landau

since March 25, 2025
Department of State
Reports to The U.S. secretary of state
Seat Washington, D.C.
Appointer The president
with Senate advice and consent
Term length No fixed term
Formation July 13, 1972
First holder John N. Irwin II
Salary Executive Schedule, Level 2

If the Secretary of State ever needs to step down or can't do their job, the Deputy Secretary of State steps in. They become the acting Secretary of State until a new one is chosen. This position was created in 1972 to help manage the busy work of the Department of State. Before 1972, a different role, the Under Secretary of State, was the second-in-command.

Two Deputy Secretaries

The Department of State is unique because it has two Deputy Secretaries who are equally important. Besides the main Deputy Secretary of State, there's also a Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. Both of these officials have the power to act on behalf of the Secretary of State when needed.

From Deputy to Secretary

Some people who served as Deputy Secretary of State later became the actual Secretary of State. For example, Lawrence Eagleburger became Secretary in 1992. Warren Christopher became Secretary in 1993, and Antony Blinken took on the role in 2021. This shows how important the Deputy Secretary position is for future leaders.

Who Has Been Deputy Secretary of State?

This table shows the people who have served as Deputy Secretary of State. It includes when they started and ended their term, and which president they worked for.

# Portrait Name Term began Term ended President(s) served under
1 John N. Irwin, II.jpg John N. Irwin II July 13, 1972 February 1, 1973 Richard Nixon
2 Kenneth-Rush-1977.jpg Kenneth Rush February 2, 1973 May 29, 1974
3 Robert S. Ingersoll.jpg Robert S. Ingersoll July 10, 1974 March 31, 1976
Gerald Ford
4 Charles W. Robinson.JPG Charles W. Robinson April 9, 1976 January 20, 1977
5 Warren Christopher.jpg Warren Christopher February 26, 1977 January 16, 1981 Jimmy Carter
6 William patrick clark.png William P. Clark Jr. February 25, 1981 February 9, 1982 Ronald Reagan
7 Walter J. Stoessel, Jr.jpg Walter J. Stoessel Jr. February 11, 1982 September 22, 1982
8 Kenneth Dam.jpg Kenneth W. Dam September 23, 1982 June 15, 1985
9 John C Whitehead.png John C. Whitehead July 9, 1985 January 20, 1989
10 Lawrence Eagleburger.jpg Lawrence Eagleburger January 20, 1989 December 8, 1992 George H. W. Bush
11 CRW JR 1987.JPG Clifton R. Wharton Jr. January 27, 1993 November 8, 1993 Bill Clinton
12 StrobeTalbott.jpg Strobe Talbott February 22, 1994 January 19, 2001
13 Richard L. Armitage.jpeg Richard Armitage March 26, 2001 February 22, 2005 George W. Bush
14 Zoellick, Robert (official portrait 2008).jpg Robert Zoellick February 22, 2005 July 7, 2006
15 John Negroponte official portrait State.jpg John Negroponte February 13, 2007 January 28, 2009
16 Jim Steinberg.jpg James Steinberg January 28, 2009 July 28, 2011 Barack Obama
17 AmbassadorBurns.jpg William J. Burns July 28, 2011 November 3, 2014
Wendy R. Sherman.jpg Wendy Sherman
Acting
November 3, 2014 January 9, 2015
18 Antony Blinken.jpg Antony Blinken January 9, 2015 January 20, 2017
Ambassador Thomas Shannon.jpg Thomas A. Shannon Jr.
Acting
February 1, 2017 May 24, 2017 Donald Trump
19 John J Sullivan.jpg John J. Sullivan May 24, 2017 December 20, 2019
20 Stephen E. Biegun official photo.jpg Stephen Biegun December 21, 2019 January 20, 2021
Daniel Bennett Smith ambassador.jpg Daniel Bennett Smith
Acting
January 26, 2021 April 14, 2021 Joe Biden
21 Deputy Secretary Sherman's Official Photo (51142275093).jpg Wendy Sherman April 14, 2021 July 28, 2023
Victoria Nuland 2021.jpg Victoria Nuland
Acting
July 29, 2023 February 12, 2024
22 Kurt Campbell as Deputy Secretary of State.jpg Kurt M. Campbell February 12, 2024 January 20, 2025
23 Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau Official Portrait.png Christopher Landau March 25, 2025 Incumbent Donald Trump
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