Dismantling the Deep State Begins on Day One of Trump 2.0

As President Donald Trump was preparing to start his second term, corporate media outlets were breathlessly reporting that the Trump transition team had asked “more than a dozen career diplomats to step down.” Scores were said to be “stepping down,” resulting in “an exodus of decorated veterans of the Foreign Service,” the Washington Post reported. . .

The gnashing of teeth from the Pravda press over Trump making good on his pledge to dismantle the deep state was as expected as the president’s swift action. The reporting also was — not surprisingly — not entirely correct.

Reuters, according to sources, reported that among the diplomats asked to take a hike was John Bass, “the agency’s No. 3 official … who was acting undersecretary for political affairs overseeing policy from Asia to Europe and the Middle East.” His imminent departure was first reported by the Washington Post. The State Department updated the diplomat’s bio, noting “John Bass’s term ended on January 20, 2025.”

Reuters and others reported, via their sources, that Lisa Kenna, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service who had served as executive secretariat under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Trump’s first presidential term, would take over Bass’ duties. In fact, the president announced Monday that he had named Kenna acting Secretary of State until the confirmation of his nominee, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Kenna’s tenure was but a few hours. Early Monday evening, the Senate unanimously confirmed Rubio as Secretary of State, the first of Trump’s nominees to make it through the confirmation process.

Congratulations to Marco Rubio on his unanimous confirmation as Secretary of State—the first in President Trump's Cabinet.

America is back and entering a golden age. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zXVyHqAICH

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 21, 2025

Trump’s rapid moves to “clean out the deep state” should come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. He campaigned on it. He has nominated a cabinet team dedicated to deep state disinfecting. On Monday, the new administration made clear that “the State Department will have an America-First foreign policy.” (Read more from “Dismantling the Deep State Begins on Day One of Trump 2.0” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr