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2w ago

Leaked Draft Reveals Trump Administration’s Plan to Restructure State Department

The proposal outlines drastic cuts to diplomatic operations, regional bureaus, and soft-power programs, with implementation potentially starting by October 1.

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The State Department seal is seen on the briefing room lectern ahead of a briefing by State Department spokesperson Ned Price at the State Department in Washington, Monday, Janu 31, 2022.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio denies the report that President Donald Trump has drafted an executive order to overhaul the State Department.

Overview

  • The draft executive order proposes eliminating the Bureau of African AffairsSub-Saharan Africa embassies, and reducing Canada's diplomatic presence under a new North American Affairs Office.
  • It outlines the reorganization of the State Department into four regional corps—Indo-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Eurasia—while excluding Africa as a standalone region.
  • Programs addressing climate change, democracy, human rights, and diversity initiatives, including Fulbright and Howard University fellowships, are marked for termination.
  • Diplomatic hiring criteria would shift to require alignment with the President's 'America First' doctrine, with a new foreign service exam replacing the existing one.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly dismissed the draft as 'fake news,' but officials indicate an announcement on reorganization plans could come as soon as April 22.