The Trump administration is making significant changes to the State Department, planning to close 132 offices and cut personnel. This move, reported by The Free Press, aims to reduce the number of State Department offices by 17%, from 734 to 602. The closures will impact offices that focus on promoting democracy abroad, fighting extremism, and protecting human rights.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced these changes on social media, stating that the goal is to eliminate what he calls “bloat and bureaucracy” at the State Department. He believes these reforms will empower diplomats to prioritize American interests. Rubio emphasized that the department has grown too large and costly over the past 15 years without yielding effective results for taxpayers.
In addition to office closures, undersecretaries have been asked to prepare plans to reduce personnel by 15% in their respective departments. Internal documents suggest that around 700 jobs, including civil service and foreign service positions, are at risk due to these changes.
Rubio responded to a report from The New York Times, which claimed that embassies and consulates in Africa would also be shut down, calling it “fake news.” He insists that the restructuring will streamline operations by consolidating regional functions and eliminating redundant offices.
The announcement comes as part of a broader initiative led by the Trump administration, which includes the Department of Government Efficiency project. This project, influenced by senior adviser Elon Musk, targets various government agencies for cuts, including the Departments of Energy, Education, and Defense.
Top State Department officials were informed of the overhaul on Tuesday morning, marking the latest significant shift in the administration’s approach to government operations.