US State Dept Cuts Over 1,350 Jobs in Trump’s Diplomatic Shuffle

• 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign service employees are laid off.
• Critics argue this diminishes the US’s capacity to counter global threats.
• The restructuring intends to align foreign policy with an ‘America First’ approach.

On Friday, the State Department initiated the layoff of over 1,350 employees based in the United States, as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping changes to the diplomatic workforce. Opponents of this decision argue it undermines America’s ability to defend and promote its interests internationally.

The layoffs include 1,107 civil service members and 246 foreign service officers, occurring at a time when the US is heavily involved in international crises like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing tensions in Gaza, as well as heightened conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.

“The Department is refining domestic operations to better prioritize diplomatic goals,” stated an internal memo sent to employees. “These reductions have been strategically planned to target non-essential roles, repetitive offices, as well as areas where significant efficiencies are achievable,” the memo continued.

The total workforce reduction is projected to approach 3,000, which includes voluntary separations, as reported in the memo and by a senior official at the State Department, among the 18,000 employees in the country.

This action marks the beginning of a restructuring effort aimed at aligning U.S. foreign policy with Trump’s “America First” agenda. Critics, including former diplomats, contend that cutting foreign service officers jeopardizes America’s ability to respond to assertive actions by countries like China and Russia.

“President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio are compromising American safety and security,” said Democratic Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia in a statement.

“This is among the most absurd actions to take at a time when China is expanding its diplomatic reach globally, Russia is maintaining its brutal assault on a sovereign nation, and the Middle East is caught in a cycle of crises,” Kaine expressed.

At the Department’s headquarters in Washington, DC, designated offices have been established for employees being laid off to return their identification cards, laptops, and other agency property.

These offices displayed signs reading “Transition Day Out Processing.” One area was labeled as an “Outprocessing Service Center,” stocked with small water bottles and tissue boxes, with cardboard boxes visible in one office.

A five-page “separation checklist,” provided to those let go on Friday and reviewed by Reuters, informed employees they would lose access to the building and their email accounts by 5 PM EDT on Friday and outlined steps to follow before their termination.

Misguided Signal

In February, Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reform the foreign service to ensure strict adherence to the Republican president’s foreign policy. Trump has also repeatedly expressed his intent to “drain the swamp” by dismissing bureaucrats he considers unfaithful.

This overhaul is part of a larger initiative by Trump to reduce federal bureaucracy and curtail what he deems to be excessive taxpayer expenditures. His administration has dissolved the US Agency for International Development, which was responsible for distributing billions in global aid, transferring its functions to the State Department.

In April, Rubio unveiled the plans for this significant shake-up, asserting that the current structure of the Department was “overstuffed, bureaucratic,” and incapable of fulfilling its mission “in this new age of major power rivalry.”

Rubio proposed a framework that would enhance the authority of regional bureaus and embassies while eliminating programs and offices that do not align with America’s vital interests.

This strategy may involve the removal of the top official position overseeing civilian security, democracy, and human rights, as well as shutting down offices that monitor global war crimes and conflicts.

“This decision communicates a harmful message to both allies and adversaries: that the United States is retracting from its global role,” the American Foreign Service Association, representing State Department employees, stated.

“While allies seek assurance from the US and adversaries probe for weaknesses, the administration is sidelining the professionals best suited to navigate these challenges. Meanwhile, nations like China continue to broaden their diplomatic influence,” the association added.

The reorganization was originally expected to be largely finalized by July 1 but faced delays due to ongoing litigation as the State Department awaited a ruling from the US Supreme Court on the Trump administration’s efforts to halt a court order blocking mass layoffs.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with the job cuts and significant reductions across various agencies. Since then, the White House Counsel’s Office and the Office of Personnel Management have been collaborating with federal agencies to ensure compliance with the law.