FOREIGN POLICY/REX TILLERSON/STATE: “Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday [11-28-17] pushed back at criticism from lawmakers and diplomats suggesting that he is gutting the State Department, adding that it is functioning ‘very well.’
Mr. Tillerson, speaking before a think tank in Washington, defended what he described as hard work by career officials, many in acting roles, on issues involving North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, Iran, the Islamic State extremist group, Afghanistan and others…
The American Foreign Service Association earlier this month released employment data it said demonstrated a ‘dizzying’ depletion of its leadership ranks, including 60% of its career ambassadors.
Mr. Tillerson said the 60% figure amounts of a drop from 6 career ambassadors to 2, which is in line with historical trends for the seniormost roles…
The Foreign Service Association also said, however, that occupants of 464 other top career posts have declined by 76, or more than 16%.
Presidentially appointed positions also have been left empty. Of 153 positions requiring Senate confirmation at the State Department, the Trump administration has 55 people confirmed and in place, with 15 others nominated, according to the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit group.”
-Felicia Schwartz, “Tillerson Rebuts Criticism of State Department Staff Declines,” The Wall Street Journal online, Nov. 28, 2017 04:25pm