U.S. State Department Begins Layoffs Amid Reorganization

The U.S. State Department announced that it will begin issuing notices of layoffs as part of a sweeping reorganization aimed at aligning the diplomatic corps with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda.

According to internal communications, the Department will notify affected staff soon, potentially as early as Friday. The move follows a Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for broad federal agency restructuring and workforce reduction.

Plans submitted to Congress in May outlined up to 1,900 job cuts and 1,575 deferred resignations, though exact breakdowns between civil and foreign service staff remain unspecified.

The reorganization will impact over 300 bureaus and offices, many of which may be merged, restructured, or shut down entirely. Deputy Secretary for Management Michael Rigas said the effort is aimed at streamlining operations and ensuring foreign policy is faithfully executed.

Critics, including over 130 retired diplomats, argue the move risks weakening U.S. diplomatic capacity amid complex global challenges. Supporters claim it enhances efficiency and accountability. The layoffs are expected to reshape how the U.S. conducts diplomacy, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio tasked with overseeing the implementation.