What is the role of the Secretary of State?

The Secretary of State is a high-level government official responsible for conducting U.S. foreign policy and serving as the President's principal advisor on foreign affairs. The Secretary of State is the head of the U.S. Department of State and is responsible for carrying out the President's foreign policies through the Department and its employees. Some of the key duties of the Secretary of State include representing the United States in international forums, negotiating treaties and agreements with foreign nations, and overseeing the operations of U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.

The Secretary of State is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The position has historically been one of the most important and influential in the U.S. government, with Secretaries of State playing major roles in shaping U.S. foreign policy and relations with other nations.