State Department Begins Layoffs Amid Reorganization
On Friday, the State Department initiated the closure of over 1,300 positions as part of the Trump administration’s strategy to reduce the federal workforce.
This move impacts 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service personnel appointed within the U.S., as stated by senior officials at the department.
Employees received termination notices in the morning, indicating their positions were “abolized.”
By the afternoon, some staff members were seen leaving the State Department headquarters in tears. Outside the Harry S. Truman Building, which is near the White House, they were met with applause from supporters.
“The staffing reduction was designed to target non-essential roles, as well as duplicate or redundant offices,” read the message sent to those laid off.
Foreign service personnel affected by the layoffs will go on 120 days of administrative leave before officially losing their jobs, while civil servants will have 60 days. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that these cuts aim to “enhance efficiency and focus in the diplomatic sector.”
He noted, “This isn’t about pushing people away. If an office is closed, the positions just become unneeded.” This comment came during a press briefing in Malaysia, where he also mentioned some positions are excluded due to their nature, not the individuals themselves.
This layoff announcement follows a Supreme Court ruling that overturned a lower court’s order halting the Trump administration’s extensive plans for cuts across various federal agencies.
Michael Rigas, deputy director for Management and Resources, alerted staff on Thursday about the forthcoming layoffs. In his email, he pointed out that after notifications are made, the department would focus on the final phase of reorganization, emphasizing “outcome-driven diplomacy.”
Back in May, the department presented Congress with a restructuring plan that proposed an 18% reduction in U.S.-based staff.
The plan includes dissolving around 300 departments and offices, including those responsible for overseeing the war in Afghanistan, which ended in August 2021, and the resettlement of Afghan citizens who supported U.S. military efforts.
Critics of the reorganization assert that it jeopardizes U.S. interests. The American Foreign Affairs Association stated, “In less than six months, the U.S. has reduced its diplomatic workforce by at least 20% through closures and forced resignations. This loss of diplomatic expertise at such a critical time is a severe blow to our national interests.”
Diplomat unions condemned the Trump administration for making cuts during this “moment of global instability.” They argued that there were better ways to address overstaffing issues through established mechanisms.
“These layoffs lack merit and purpose. They seem to target diplomats based on their assignments rather than their skills or contributions. This isn’t reform,” the group asserted.
