WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department has laid off over 1,350 employees, including 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign service officers based in the United States, as part of a large-scale restructuring effort aligned with former President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. The move comes amid global tensions, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, the prolonged Gaza conflict, and heightened strains between Israel and Iran.
In total, nearly 3,000 positions will be reduced, including voluntary departures, representing a significant cut to the Department’s 18,000 domestic staff. An internal memo described the layoffs as targeting “non-core functions” and “redundant offices” to refocus resources on key diplomatic priorities.
The reorganization is the first major step in Trump’s plan to overhaul U.S. foreign policy execution. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appointed in February, has described the Department as “bloated and bureaucratic” and argued for a structure better suited for “great power competition.”
Critics, including former diplomats and Democratic lawmakers, have condemned the move. “This is one of the most ridiculous decisions at a time when China and Russia are expanding their global influence,” said Senator Tim Kaine. Senator Chris Van Hollen also voiced support for affected staff, attending a farewell demonstration outside the State Department headquarters.
Inside the building, emotional scenes unfolded as laid-off employees handed in badges, laptops, and phones at stations marked “Transition Day Out Processing.” Many were seen carrying boxes, hugging colleagues, and receiving applause from peers holding signs reading, “Thank you, America’s diplomats.”
Notably, many staff from the office managing the resettlement of Afghan allies were among those let go. Additionally, the administration is moving to eliminate several offices, including those handling civilian security, human rights, and global war crimes monitoring.
The reorganization had been delayed by court challenges but moved forward after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling cleared the path for mass job cuts. The White House Counsel’s Office and the Office of Personnel Management are now overseeing the legality of these actions across federal agencies.
The administration also dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), folding its functions into the State Department—a move criticized by many international aid advocates.
As the State Department undergoes this transformation, questions remain about America’s diplomatic capacity at a time of mounting international crises.
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