The State Department begins terminating more than 1,3000 employees this Friday under a sweeping reorganization sparked by Trump administration priorities. As part of its radical reorganization, the US State Department sent layoff notices to 1,107 civil servants and 246 domestically assigned foreign service officers.
According to an internal memo, foreign service officers will be given 120 days of administrative leave before losing their jobs, and civil servants will receive 60-day separation notices. The reductions are intended to simplify operations and concentrate on essential diplomatic responsibilities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House officials have praised the reorganization for targeting redundant jobs. They assert that the State Department’s reorganization layoffs will centralize functions and eliminate duplicative offices.
Rubio emphasized that positions, not people, are being eliminated as some roles had already become vacant due to retirements or resignations. Opponents say the implementation risks undermining US foreign policy.
The American Academy of Diplomacy warned that losing long-tenured employees will erode the institutional knowledge necessary to understand complex global threats. Gordon Duguid, a 31-year State Department veteran, argued that the administration overlooked individual expertise and prioritized compliance over competence instead.
Among the affected are offices overseeing foreign assistance, refugee processing, and democracy promotion. The move follows the absorption of USAID into the department and follows court authorization that cleared the way for these reductions.
Additional branches dealing with resettling Afghan allies and managing overseas programs also face cuts. In May, officials told Congress they planned an 18% workforce reduction, higher than parliamentary projections of 15%.
That translates into roughly 3,000 departures through layoffs and voluntary departures combined. A senior department official defended the plan, mentioning that the cost savings would be reflected in subsequent fiscal year’s budgets.
Foreign service officers union leaders warned that the reorganization would damage morale, complicate recruitment, and diminish the department’s capacity in critical regions like Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran.
They stressed that seasoned diplomats play a vital role during international crises. The department intends to complete notifications on Friday and shift focus toward delivering results-driven diplomacy.
