In a sweeping move aligned with the Trump administration’s broader federal workforce overhaul, the U.S. State Department has begun the process of laying off more than 1,300 employees, including 246 members of the foreign service and 1,107 civil service staff. The initiative follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for mass job cuts across federal agencies.
The reductions mark one of the largest reorganization efforts in the department’s recent history, and are part of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s plan, announced in April, to cut approximately 15% of the department’s total workforce. The stated aim of the plan is to create a more “relevant, effective, and quick” institution, according to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Affected employees have begun receiving official notifications. According to an internal memo obtained by the Financial Times, foreign service officers who are being let go will be placed on 120 days of administrative leave before their employment is formally terminated.
Diplomatic Community Raises Alarm
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union representing State Department employees, has strongly condemned the move. In a statement, the group warned that the layoffs come at a moment of unprecedented global instability—with ongoing conflict in Ukraine, rising tensions between Israel and Iran, and increasing challenges from authoritarian regimes.
“At a moment of great global instability… the United States has chosen to gut its frontline diplomatic workforce,” AFSA said, noting that at least 20% of the diplomatic workforce has been cut within just six months.
Tom Yazdgerdi, a senior department official and head of AFSA, warned that the State Department was already operating with dangerously low staffing levels, especially abroad. He stressed the need for additional personnel, citing global competitors like China, which continues to expand its diplomatic reach.
Targeting Domestic Operations and ‘Non-Core’ Functions
According to officials, the cuts primarily target employees based in the United States, as part of a plan to streamline domestic operations and shift focus to what are deemed core diplomatic priorities. The internal memo explained that layoffs were directed at “non-core functions, duplicative or redundant offices,” and areas where centralization could yield greater efficiency.
Notably, employees are not being evaluated based on performance, qualifications, or skills—such as foreign language proficiency. Instead, layoffs are being determined based on office assignments and the perceived redundancy of those departments.
“We looked at the functions that were being performed, not at individuals,” one senior official said, confirming that the reorganization is structural in nature and not merit-based.
Legal Challenges and Controversy
The move to reduce the federal workforce has not been without legal resistance. A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s plan earlier this year, citing concerns about its legality and impact. However, the Supreme Court overruled that decision on Tuesday, paving the way for immediate implementation of layoffs.
Critics, including legal experts and former diplomats, argue that the decision could have serious consequences for U.S. national security, foreign policy, and global leadership. They accuse the Trump administration and its “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge) initiative of dismantling essential federal functions under the guise of cost-saving reforms.
Despite the backlash, the State Department has reiterated that the cuts do not affect foreign service personnel currently stationed overseas.
As the reorganization continues, questions remain about how these dramatic changes will impact America’s diplomatic capabilities in an increasingly volatile world.
