The State Department Is in Disarray

The State Department appears to be experiencing significant turmoil under the current administration, despite its generally better reputation compared to other departments and agencies. This may be due to the blatant misconduct of other entities and Secretary of State Marco Rubio's reputation as a serious figure. The guiding philosophy of the second Trump presidency, from Project 2025, emphasizes that personnel is policy, meaning the administration's success depends on the individuals it staffs.

Several problematic appointments have been made, including Darren Beattie, a senior adviser for Western Hemisphere affairs with ties to white nationalist movements, and Nate Hochman, who was fired from his previous role for sharing Nazi imagery. Nate Hochman is reportedly Rubio's chief speechwriter. The department also has an "Office of Remigration," a term derived from white nationalist shibboleth for ethnic cleansing.

Other questionable hires include Britt McHenry, a former ESPN personality and MAGA figure who was recently fired from her role as a press adviser after throwing a drink at a fan, and Paolo Zampolli, a close Trump associate who was appointed as a special envoy for global partnerships but quickly began meddling in issues outside his scope.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau's attempts to control Zampolli resulted in a monthslong internal conflict involving multiple administration officials. Zampolli was subsequently fired.

While some top officials at the State Department appear resistant to these chaotic changes, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to maintain order. The department is reportedly trying to promote political loyalists while pushing out experienced foreign-service officers, who are the most seasoned members of the nonpolitical career staff trained in foreign relations.