Trump Administration Overhauls US Diplomacy, Cuts Over 1,350 State Department Staff
Trump Administration Slashes 1,350+ US Diplomats in Major State Department Overhaul
Move draws backlash as critics warn of weakened US global influence
July 11, 2025 — Washington DC
The Trump administration has begun a sweeping overhaul of the US State Department, laying off more than 1,350 domestic employees in what critics call a dangerous blow to American diplomacy.
According to an internal memo obtained by Reuters, the cuts include 1,107 civil service staff and 246 foreign service officers, all based in the United States. Layoffs began Friday, with affected foreign service employees placed on 120-day administrative leave, while most civil servants face 60-day notice periods before termination.
The notice stated the department is “streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities,” targeting “non-core, redundant, or inefficient functions.”
However, the American Academy of Diplomacy condemned the decision, calling it “an act of vandalism,” warning it erodes institutional knowledge at a time when global threats are rising.
“At a time when the United States faces challenges from Russia, China, and ongoing global conflicts, this move guts the very institution meant to protect American interests,” the group said.
Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a joint statement saying the layoffs weaken national security and leave America vulnerable while rivals expand their global influence.
The cuts follow President Trump’s February directive to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to restructure the diplomatic corps to align more closely with his “America First” foreign policy and to remove officials seen as disloyal to his agenda.
The mass dismissals were delayed due to legal challenges, but a Supreme Court ruling this week cleared the way, allowing the administration to move forward with its broader plan to shrink federal bureaucracy.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the plan had been shaped by “extensive feedback” and would make diplomacy “results-driven” and “relevant.”
As part of Trump’s broader government shakeup, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has now been folded into the State Department after sharp foreign aid budget cuts. Other agencies, including the Education Department, are reportedly also under review for elimination.
