2paragraphs published on 2 May 2026 an article titled "Former U.S. Ambassador to China Says Just 7% of U.S. Ambassadors Are Career Diplomats, 'Our Country Deserves Better'" by Lisandra Gomez-Tate.
In previous administrations, about 70 percent of U.S. ambassadors came from the career Foreign Service. In the second Trump administration, that number is currently just over 7 percent, i.e. minus the zero. Most of the ambassadorial positions are now occupied by friends, family members, and large political donors.
Comment: This statistic demonstrates the low regard the Trump administration and Marco Rubio State Department hold the career diplomatic service. What a waste of talent!
