State Department Begins Layoffs Amid Reorganization

On Thursday, the State Department informed its staff that significant layoffs are starting, as revealed in notifications acquired by various sources.

The Supreme Court has permitted President Donald Trump to proceed with his executive order. In a ruling earlier this week, the agency was directed to prepare for substantial workforce reductions. The State Department has reportedly been gearing up for this restructuring since April, aiming to shut down 132 offices. Deputy Chief Michael Rigas announced to officials that “reductions in power” would commence shortly, based on internal documents.

“Once the notification is sent out, we enter the final stages of the reorganization, focusing on delivering results-driven diplomacy,” Rigas noted.

There have been evolving reports about ongoing developments in this situation. It has been mentioned that, as part of the reorganization, offices deemed redundant, especially those not aligned with Trump’s priorities, will be eliminated. A senior official from the State Department confirmed some of these details previously.

The plan also includes relocating 137 offices to enhance integration and efficiency within the department.

In the weeks to come, the secretary is expected to engage with the organization’s members and host “City Hall” meetings, according to the memo.

Rigas expressed gratitude on behalf of the department’s leadership for the staff’s efforts and continued dedication to advancing U.S. national interests globally.

On a related note, the State Department has also shut down a long-standing program that provided benefits to diplomats who are being phased out. This was mentioned in an earlier memo obtained that discussed the pension exception allowing foreign service members to stay on payroll.