Chief of Protocol of the United States


In the United States, the chief of protocol is an officer of the United States Department of State responsible for advising the president of the United States, the vice president, and the secretary of state on matters of national and international diplomatic protocol. The chief of protocol holds the rank of Ambassador and Assistant Secretary of State. Cam Henderson has served as Chief of Protocol since August 2019.

Duties

The chief arranges itineraries for foreign dignitaries visiting the U.S. and accompanies the president on all official international travel. Additionally, the office is responsible for accrediting foreign diplomats and publishing the list of foreign consular offices in the U.S., organizing ceremonies for treaty signings, conducting ambassadorial swearing-in and state arrival ceremonies, and maintaining Blair House, the official guest house for state visitors.
On September 9, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Sean Lawler to be Chief of Protocol. Lawler was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 16, 2017.
Former child star Shirley Temple Black served as Chief of Protocol under President Gerald Ford.
The chief of protocol duties include being present at the annual State of the Union speech given by the president each January before Congress. These SOTU duties include escorting the dean of the Diplomatic Corps into the House Chamber for the SOTU speech.
The chief of protocol position should not be confused with the distinctly different White House social secretary position.

Divisions

The office identifies seven divisions on its website, led by assistant chiefs, who oversee the following principal duties: