State Department Initiates Layoffs for Over 1,300 Employees
On Friday, the State Department commenced the process of cutting more than 1,300 jobs, aligning with the Trump administration’s initiative to reduce the federal workforce.
The layoffs will impact a total of 1,107 civil service employees and 246 foreign service officers stationed in the United States, as revealed by a senior official within the department.
Notices informing staff of their termination were distributed in the morning, declaring that their roles were being "abolished."
By the afternoon, several affected employees were seen leaving the State Department’s headquarters in tears. Outside the Harry S. Truman Building, adjacent to the White House, they were greeted by supporters who applauded their departure.
According to messages sent to impacted employees, the staff reductions were designed to target non-essential functions and eliminate redundancies.
Foreign service officers will be placed on administrative leave for 120 days prior to their formal dismissal, while civil servants will undergo a 60-day separation period.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these reductions aim to enhance the efficiency and focus of the diplomatic agency.
“This isn’t about dismissing individuals. If a bureau is closed, those roles become unnecessary,” Rubio explained to reporters during a visit to Malaysia. “It’s important to recognize that positions are being cut, not personnel.”
This announcement of layoffs follows a Supreme Court ruling that lifted a lower court’s injunction halting the Trump administration’s plans for extensive workforce reductions across various federal entities.
Michael Rigas, the State Department’s Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources, alerted employees on Thursday that the layoffs were forthcoming. He indicated in an internal email that, following the notifications, the Department would proceed with its reorganization efforts aimed at delivering effective diplomacy.
In May, the department presented Congress with its restructuring plan, which included an 18% reduction in personnel based in the U.S.
The plan involved the elimination of around 300 divisions and offices, including units responsible for oversight of the Afghanistan war, which concluded in August 2021, as well as for resettling Afghan allies who supported U.S. military operations.
Critics of this restructuring argue that it jeopardizes U.S. interests.
The American Foreign Service Association expressed concern, stating, “In under six months, the U.S. has cut down at least 20% of its diplomatic workforce through institutional closures and mandated resignations. Further loss of diplomatic expertise during such a crucial global phase is detrimental to our national interests.”
The diplomats’ union condemned the Trump administration for implementing these cuts amid significant global instability, asserting that established processes could have addressed staffing excess without such drastic measures.
“These layoffs are not based on merit or mission performance; they instead target individuals based on their assignments, which is not a genuine reform effort,” the association remarked.
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