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State Department Lays Off Over 1,300 Employees Following Trump-Driven Overhaul

Friday, July 11, 2025 by Mia Dominguez

State Department Lays Off Over 1,300 Employees Following Trump-Driven Overhaul
Donald Trump and Marco Rubio - Image of © X / usembassy.gov

On Friday, the State Department commenced the termination of more than 1,300 employees as part of a sweeping structural reorganization spearheaded by the Trump administration. This move, which involves the elimination of numerous positions, has drawn significant criticism from diplomats and foreign affairs experts, who warn that it could undermine the United States' ability to address global threats.

According to a senior department official speaking to the Associated Press, dismissal notices were issued to 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service members stationed within the United States. These individuals will be placed on administrative leave for 120 days before their formal termination.

The job cuts are part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to shrink the federal government, which includes ambitions to completely dismantle agencies like USAID and the Department of Education. As for the State Department, the reorganization will impact over 300 offices, focusing on closing units deemed redundant or misaligned with the administration's policies.

In a statement from Kuala Lumpur, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the initiative as a "deliberate action" to enhance the department's efficiency. "Some of these are positions being eliminated, not people," he stated, referring to vacancies and early retirements. He emphasized that the goal is resource optimization, not a reduction in personnel.

However, this decision has raised alarms within diplomatic circles. The American Academy of Diplomacy described the restructuring as an "act of vandalism" that jeopardizes the country's operational capabilities at a critical juncture in international politics. "Dismantling institutional knowledge weakens our response to strategic threats and ongoing conflicts," the organization asserted.

The American Foreign Service Association, the union representing diplomats, also criticized the decision and urged its suspension. Its president, Tom Yazdgerdi, argued that such layoffs "endanger national interests."

While legal challenges against the cuts continue, a recent Supreme Court ruling has allowed the administration to proceed with the process. Although the layoffs were less extensive than initially feared, they represent one of the most significant State Department overhauls in decades.

Among the most impacted programs are those concerning human rights, immigration, democracy promotion, and refugee assistance.

Impact and Consequences of State Department Layoffs

Why is the State Department laying off employees?

The layoffs are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal government, aiming to make the State Department more efficient by eliminating positions deemed redundant.

What are the potential risks of these layoffs?

Critics argue that the layoffs could weaken the United States' ability to respond to international threats and undermine its foreign policy objectives, particularly in areas like human rights and democracy promotion.

How have diplomatic organizations reacted to the layoffs?

Diplomatic organizations, such as the American Academy of Diplomacy and the American Foreign Service Association, have criticized the layoffs, describing them as harmful to national interests and operational capabilities.

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