Mass firings at the U.S. State Department

On Friday, the State Department began terminating over 1,350 U.S.-based employees—a move that the Trump administration describes as part of an unprecedented restructuring of American diplomacy. Critics argue, however, that the move will undermine the United States' ability to defend and advance its interests globally.

The layoffs include 1,107 civil service employees and 246 foreign service officers based in the U.S., coming at a time when Washington is grappling with multiple global crises: the ongoing war in Ukraine, the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza, and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran in West Asia.

An internal memo sent to State Department staff stated: “The Department is streamlining its domestic operations to better focus on diplomatic priorities.”

It further noted: “This staff reduction has been carefully designed to affect only non-core functions, redundant or overlapping offices, and areas where significant efficiency gains can be achieved.”

According to the memo and a senior department official, the total reduction, including voluntary resignations, will reach nearly 3,000 out of the 18,000 U.S.-based employees.

This marks the first phase of a broader reorganization Trump is pursuing to align U.S. foreign policy with his so-called “America First” doctrine.

However, former diplomats and critics argue that firing foreign service officers jeopardizes America’s ability to confront the growing assertiveness of rivals like China and Russia.

In response, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia issued a statement saying: “President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have once again made America less safe and more vulnerable.”

He added: “This is one of the most reckless decisions imaginable at a time when China is expanding its diplomatic presence worldwide and building a global network of military and logistical bases, Russia continues its brutal years-long invasion of a sovereign country, and the Middle East lurches from one crisis to another.”