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U.S. Department of State: Quick Facts

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News •

U.S. managed $12 billion in Venezuelan oil revenue, State Department says • Nov. 13, 2026, 1:40 AM ET (Washington Post)
What Trump meant when he said the U.S. is cutting aid to Israel • Nov. 9, 2026, 4:58 PM ET (NPR)
Trump’s State Department Is Giving $1 Million to Controversial Group to Study Crimes Against White South Africans • Nov. 5, 2026, 6:00 AM ET (ProPublica)
Brazil's Flávio Bolsonaro and family will get US visas after election loss, State Department says • Oct. 28, 2026, 12:58 AM ET (AP)
US is reducing staffing at 4 Middle East embassies over increased threats from Iran • Oct. 23, 2026, 10:19 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As State Department
Date 1789 - present
Areas Of Involvement What does the secretary of state do? • foreign policy
Related People Edward R. Dudley • Alger Hiss • Alan Keyes

Photos

The Department of State seal features a bald eagle with outstretched wings, holding an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of arrows in its left. A shield with stars and stripes covers the eagle's chest. Above the eagle, a banner reads E Pluribus Unum, and a cluster of stars is encircled by a cloud. The outer blue and gold ring contains the words Department of State and United States of America.
Portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Gilbert Stuart, showing Jefferson with white hair, a white ruffled shirt, and a dark coat against a neutral background.
Madeleine Albright
Colin Powell, wearing a dark pinstripe suit, blue tie, and glasses, smiles and waves while arriving at an event.
Thomas Jefferson
James Monroe and his Cabinet
Painting of Abraham Lincoln seated at a table with his cabinet, including Edwin Stanton, Salmon Chase, Gideon Welles, Caleb Smith, William Seward, Montgomery Blair, and Edward Bates, during the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Secretary of State Cordell Hull
Portrait of General George C. Marshall in military uniform, showing medals and insignia on his jacket.
Nixon and Kissinger
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