Resignation Requests for Senior Officials Including John Bass
Trump Seeks Changes in State Department's Tone and Composition
High Possibility of Appointing Figures from Trump's First Administration
Dozens of senior officials who worked in the Biden administration are leaving the State Department ahead of the Trump administration's inauguration, the Washington Post (WP) reported on the 19th (local time).
WP cited three sources saying that veteran senior officials, including John Bass, Deputy Undersecretary and Political Minister, and Jeffrey Pyatt, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, were asked by the Trump transition team last Friday (17th) to resign and have decided to leave the State Department. In the U.S., a new administration can request resignations from existing officials.
This was not a voluntary resignation but was made following the Trump transition team's request for resignation. One senior official who received the resignation request said, "I expressed willingness to work longer to bridge the gap, but that is a decision for President-elect Trump," adding, "We all wish the new team success." Another official also stated that this resignation was not decided for personal reasons.
WP interpreted this resignation request from the Trump team as reflecting Trump's desire to quickly change the tone and composition of the State Department. President-elect Trump's policy agenda includes imposing broad tariffs on allies and adversaries, ending the conflict in Ukraine, solidifying the unstable ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and deporting illegal immigrants.
A spokesperson for the Trump transition team said, "It is a reasonable decision to find officials who share President Trump's vision of putting our country and American workers first," adding, "Because there are many failures that need to be corrected, we need a dedicated team focused on the same goals."
Key department heads nominated by President-elect Trump also share this 'America First' consensus. Rubio Marco, the nominee for Secretary of State, emphasized during last week's confirmation hearing, "The State Department will prioritize Trump's America First agenda and make the State Department meaningful again."
Trump has instructed the selection of more than 20 officials to work in departments left vacant by the resignation of senior officials. An official familiar with the matter said some of the candidates for selection played key roles in the State Department and the National Security Council (NSC) during Trump's first administration, and some are also expected to possibly withdraw their retirements.
The currently likely candidate for selection is Lisa Kenada, who served as Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
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