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Pompeo at his confirmation hearing April 12. Photo: Xinhua/Ting Shen via Getty Images
Mike Pompeo will inherit a State Department where only three of the 10 highest-ranking jobs are filled, and two of those jobs are being performed by people in "acting" roles, per Bloomberg.
Why it matters: If Pompeo is confirmed as the new secretary of state, he'll have a lot of work to do to raise morale at the department — an urgent task when a new international crisis could erupt at any moment.
The backstory: As Bloomberg pointed out, the vacancies are "either because staff have left, been fired or the posts were never filled. Those vacant assignments include positions overseeing the agency’s role in U.S. trade policy, stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, refugee issues and efforts to counter human trafficking."
Where it stands
Secretary of State-designate — Mike Pompeo (awaiting confirmation)
Secretary of State — John Sullivan (acting)
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs — Heather Nauert (acting)
Under Secretary for Political Affairs — Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. (retiring)
Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources — Vacant
Under Secretary for Management — Vacant
Under Secretary for Arms Control & International Security — Vacant
Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy & Human Rights — Vacant
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy & the Environment — Vacant
Counselor of the Department — Vacant