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yesterday

Rubio Begins First Phase of State Department Reorganization

The dismissals of 1,350 employees follow a June Supreme Court decision that lifted an injunction on broader staff reductions.

FILE - State Department employees applaud as their colleagues walk through the lobby of the State Department headquarters in the Harry S Truman Building, July 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
State Department employees applaud as their colleagues walk through the lobby of the State Department headquarters in the Harry S. Truman Building, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein).
State Department employees applaud as their colleagues walk outside of the State Department headquarters in the Harry S Truman Building, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
FILE - A fired State Department employee, left, is greeted outside of the Harry S. Truman Building, the headquarters of the State Department, in Washington, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Overview

  • A late June Supreme Court ruling lifted a lower-court injunction on reductions in force, clearing the way for mass layoffs and leaving union legal challenges unresolved.
  • Rubio’s first phase cut about 1,350 employees—1.6% of the workforce—with notices issued for a total of 3,000 departures targeting non-core domestic offices.
  • Efficiency measures include consolidating overlapping sanctions and arms control offices and capping document clearances at 12 layers.
  • The overhaul shifts decision-making power from centralized policy units back to regional bureaus, embassies and ambassadors and plans to integrate USAID functions.
  • Critics warn the cuts risk undermining U.S. soft power and hollowing out expertise in intelligence, energy diplomacy and strategic competition with China.