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4d ago

Rubio Unveils State Department Overhaul with Major Staff and Office Reductions

The reorganization plan includes a 15% staff cut, elimination of 132 offices, and the creation of a new foreign aid coordination office as part of the Trump administration's 'America First' agenda.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on upon his arrival at the Quai d'Orsay, France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart in Paris, France April 17, 2025. JULIEN DE ROSA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Overview

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a reorganization plan to reduce State Department staff by 15% and consolidate 734 offices into 602.
  • The plan includes eliminating 132 offices, many focused on democracy promotion, human rights, and global conflict, while merging others to improve efficiency.
  • A new Office of Coordination for Foreign Assistance and Humanitarian Affairs will absorb functions of the dismantled USAID, centralizing foreign aid operations.
  • Undersecretaries have 30 days to draft implementation plans for the changes, with no immediate layoffs expected, though approximately 700 positions are set to be eliminated.
  • Rubio emphasized the need to streamline the department to address great-power competition, but critics warn the cuts could weaken U.S. global influence and humanitarian efforts.