All eyes on State

July could be a pivotal month for Donald Trump’s presidency and Rex Tillerson’s tenure as secretary of State, to say nothing of American history. Between this week’s Group of 20 meeting, Trump’s encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a new level of threat coming from North Korea, sure-footed diplomacy is in high demand and more important now than any time since last year’s election.

Generally I have been a fan of Tillerson. He is an adult in the room and, importantly, seems immune from all the barking that takes place in Washington. Tillerson is steady, knowledgeable, and moves at his own pace. But that pace, or the lack of a faster one, has become a source of criticism.

Washington thinks of itself as so vitally important that empty blocks in the federal bureaucracy’s organization chart can only mean that a vital government function is not being carried out.

I have my doubts.

The truth is, the State Department, like every other executive department, suffers from redundancies and make-work jobs. But there is such a thing as needing good people to do important jobs.

For his part, John J. Sullivan, the recently confirmed deputy secretary of State, is getting good reviews. As per Tillerson’s instruction, Sullivan is already working to reorganize the State Department and empower the best career Foreign Service officers.

In the coming weeks the Trump administration will soon learn whether the slow pace of filling top political appointments at the State Department is affecting the quality of our diplomacy. We may be about to find out if Trump’s State Department is prepared to manage important international events and potentially historic challenges.

Personnel matters aside, Tillerson has won the respect of key world leaders and that of Trump. Considering just how often he and the president speak, it is that much more likely that Trump will defer to his secretary of State and perhaps even suppress some of his own instincts to freelance, ad-lib or, worst of all, recklessly tweet when mature patience is required.

Yet, while Tillerson has performed effectively and maintained the confidence of the president, some of his recent interactions with others in the White House have left wounds that have yet to heal.

It remains to be seen just how long such a dichotomy can last.

So, as the month unfolds, there is a spotlight on Trump, Tillerson and the president’s team. Much is at stake, and I cannot remember a time when there was more uncertainty about the dependability and quality of America’s actions, resolve and personnel.

Godspeed, Secretary Tillerson.