The US State Department is laying off more than 1,300 employees as part of President Donald Trump’s reorganization plan announced earlier this year. This updated plan, which proposes cuts to various programs and an 18% staff reduction, was shared with Congress in May.
Layoff notices will be sent to 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers with domestic assignments in the US, according to a senior State Department official quoted by the Associated Press.
Civil servants will have a 60-day separation period, while foreign service officers will immediately enter 120 days of administrative leave before formally losing their jobs, as detailed in an internal notice obtained by AP.
On Thursday, the department informed its staff that layoff notices would be issued soon.
“In connection with the departmental reorganization, the department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities,” the notice states. It adds that “headcount reductions” are aimed at eliminating “non-core functions” and consolidating “duplicative or redundant offices” for greater efficiency.
This action follows a ruling by the US Supreme Court, which lifted lower court orders that had temporarily halted the cuts. However, legal challenges regarding the layoffs are still ongoing.
In a message to staff on Thursday, Michael Rigas, the department’s deputy secretary for management and resources, expressed gratitude for their “dedication and service.”
Targets of Trump’s Reorganization Plan
The letter from the US State Department to Congress indicated that the reorganization would not only eliminate divisions but also cut programs related to immigration, human rights, and democracy promotion. It is expected to impact over 300 bureaus and offices, particularly those engaged in overlapping or unclear work.
The State Department is also planning to close divisions that oversee America’s involvement in Afghanistan, according to AP.
A Deliberate Step: Rubio Comments
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the layoffs as “a very deliberate step” aimed at making the State Department “more efficient and focused.” Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rubio clarified that the decision was not about “trying to get rid of people.”
“If you close the bureau, you don’t need those positions… Understand that some of these are positions being eliminated, not people,” Rubio stated, mentioning that some cuts will include unfilled positions or those becoming vacant due to retirements.
