Here’s How Congress Can Save the State Department

Author Daniel Benaim recommends ways Congress can hold the U.S. Department of State accountable as the Trump administration weakens America's diplomatic capacity and international leadership.

Each week brings fresh reports that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s tenure at the State Department is a self-inflicted institutional disaster. A mass exodus of nonpartisan staff. Crippling proposed budget cuts, blessed by Tillerson. Near-total failure to install a leadership team (80-plus percent of bureaus lack even nominees to lead them). Empty offices, disempowered stand-in officials, and a demoralized, marginalized rank-and-file. There’s even talk of an abrupt “Rexit.” And then there are indignities, like President Donald Trump’s thanks to Russia for saving money by expelling American diplomats.

The above excerpt was originally published in Foreign Policy. Click here to view the full article.

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