Replacing Career Ambassadors Is Unusual
Concerns Over "Undermining Trust in U.S. Diplomacy"
The Donald Trump administration is reportedly recalling a large number of career diplomats who were appointed as ambassadors during the previous Joe Biden administration.
On December 19 (local time), Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, reported-citing the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union for U.S. diplomats-that ambassadors serving in regions including East Asia and the Pacific have been notified to step down from their posts by January 15-16 of next year.
John N. K. Dinkelman, president of AFSA, stated that the ambassadors in question have not been given a specific explanation for the demand to resign. A State Department official also revealed that about 20 ambassadors have received this notice.
While it is customary to replace politically appointed ambassadors when a new administration takes office, it is considered highly unusual to replace career diplomats who have served regardless of the administration in power. Career diplomats are generally retained on the premise that they fulfill their duties based on expertise, irrespective of which administration is in office.
However, the Trump administration has openly expressed distrust toward the diplomatic bureaucracy, labeling the State Department as a "hotbed of progressive ideology," and has previously taken measures to dismiss thousands of employees.
Dinkelman expressed concern that such actions would negatively impact the credibility and stature of U.S. diplomacy, stating, "This continued undermining of the belief that professional diplomats can effectively implement the policies of elected leadership is damaging."
In response, the State Department issued a statement saying, "This is a standard procedure carried out by all administrations," and added, "As ambassadors are the personal representatives of the president, it is the president's authority to appoint the right person to advance the America First policy in each country."
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the move, noting, "Currently, about 80 ambassadorial posts are vacant," and added, "Nonetheless, replacing capable career diplomats who have faithfully performed their duties regardless of who is in power could result in ceding American leadership to China and Russia."
Meanwhile, the post of U.S. ambassador to South Korea is currently vacant. Former Ambassador Philip Goldberg returned to the United States just before President Trump took office, and since then, the embassy has been led by acting ambassadors.
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