By Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra PamukWASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Trump administration has reportedly instructed U.S. embassies worldwide to prepare for staff reductions, as part of its efforts to restructure the U.S. diplomatic corps. According to three sources familiar with the matter, some embassies have been tasked with exploring the possibility of trimming both U.S. and locally employed staff by 10% each. A deadline for submitting the workforce lists to the State Department has been set for Friday, after which further actions will be determined.
Embassies across the globe typically employ a mix of diplomats and local staff, with a majority of the workforce hailing from the host country, as stated by the National Museum of American Diplomacy. In a related development, a U.S. official disclosed that approximately 60 contractors at the State Department’s bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor had recently been let go, with the potential for additional cuts in other departments looming.
Initial reports by ABC News indicated that U.S. embassies had been advised to commence planning for staff reductions. However, as of now, the State Department has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. These moves coincide with President Trump’s ongoing attempts to reshape the diplomatic arena. Just yesterday, he issued an executive order tasking Secretary of State Marco Rubio with revamping the foreign service to ensure the faithful and effective implementation of his foreign policy vision.
Under the executive order titled “One Voice for America’s Foreign Relations,” failure to align with the president’s agenda is cited as grounds for potential professional repercussions, including termination. The directive emphasizes the need for an outstanding workforce dedicated to executing the administration’s policy effectively. Moreover, it hints at potential revisions to the Foreign Affairs Manual, a comprehensive guide outlining the operational protocols of the State Department both domestically and abroad.
Shortly after assuming office on January 20, President Trump initiated a freeze on most U.S. foreign aid to ensure alignment with his “America First” doctrine. As part of this effort, USAID, the primary U.S. humanitarian agency, became a focal point for restructuring, spearheaded by Elon Musk, a prominent ally of the president. Since January 20, members of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have been meticulously reviewing sensitive personnel and financial data within government systems. Alongside the targeted changes at USAID, efforts have been underway to overhaul the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an entity safeguarding Americans from predatory financial practices.
The evolving landscape of U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic operations underscores the administration’s commitment to realigning priorities in line with the “America First” agenda. As these reforms unfold, the diplomatic community awaits further developments in line with the executive order’s directives for a revamped foreign service.
