In a bold move on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a comprehensive restructuring plan for the U.S. State Department. This initiative aims to cut 15% of the domestic workforce and consolidate more than 100 international bureaus as part of the Trump administration’s “America First” strategy.
Announced via social media and elaborated upon in documents provided to reporters, this plan represents the administration’s latest effort to streamline U.S. foreign policy while reducing federal governmental size. A significant factor driving this overhaul is the necessity to reassign functions formerly carried out by the now-dismantled U.S. Agency for International Development, following its disassembly by Trump officials and ally Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Secretary Rubio emphasized the need for downsizing to foster innovation and effectively allocate resources. In a department-wide communication shared among employees, he highlighted the intent to address 21st-century challenges while prioritizing American interests.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reinforced the plan’s objective of empowering skilled diplomats, emphasizing that the changes would not result in immediate layoffs. She assured that the restructuring serves as a strategic guide rather than an immediate action plan.
The reorganization envisions reducing 734 offices to 602 and relocating 137 offices within the department to enhance efficiency. Additionally, a reinvented office will coordinate foreign aid and humanitarian support still managed by the State Department.
Though thorough, Rubio’s plan differs from an alleged draft that created a stir over the weekend. The latter had prompted concerns about the gutting of important functions, which Rubio and other top officials have denied. Many existing offices, such as those handling African affairs or global democratic initiatives, remain intact, albeit under altered structures.
The potential closure of certain U.S. embassies remains ambiguous, stirring unease over its implications on international diplomatic prowess, particularly across Africa.
The new plan proposes cuts to the Office of Global Women’s Issues and various diversity initiatives discontinued in other government sectors under Trump. Additionally, specialized units for rapid response in crisis zones and some human rights departments face cutbacks or mergers.
Humanitarian organization representatives, like Daryl Grisgraber from Oxfam America, predict that such changes incite uncertainty and risk destabilizing global humanitarian initiatives.
Uncertainties linger regarding whether the restructuring will necessitate an executive order. However, it coincides with an Office of Management and Budget proposal to slash the State Department budget by half while retracting contributions to institutions like the UN and NATO.
Although financially ambitious, initial Republican support for the plan suggests traction on Capitol Hill. Republican Senator Jim Risch praised the vision as a necessary modern realignment of the State Department’s mission.
Conversely, Democratic opposition has been swift, with Senator Brian Schatz citing significant threats to U.S. global leadership, security goals, and democratic advocacy. Criticism extends to former senatorial priorities, with representatives like Gregory Meeks arguing that Rubio once endorsed key diplomatic initiatives now labeled as obstacles.
The State Department changes occur amid broader administrative cuts across federal bodies, including essential services such as health and education. Beyond USAID’s collapse, the administration plans to reduce funding for several key global media outlets, challenging their role in providing unbiased information to countries under authoritarian rule.