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yesterday

State Department Begins Layoffs of More Than 1,300 U.S. Staff Under Rubio Overhaul

Critics warn the cutbacks will undermine U.S. diplomatic capacity in the face of global crises

The headquarters of the Department of State is seen, June 27, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, DC on July 7.

Overview

  • The State Department this week sent layoff notices to 1,107 domestic civil servants and 246 U.S.-based foreign service officers under Secretary Marco Rubio’s 15% workforce reduction plan.
  • Affected civil servants face a 60-day separation period and foreign service officers are placed on 120-day administrative leave before their jobs end.
  • The mass layoffs followed the Supreme Court’s 8-1 July 9 decision overturning a lower-court injunction that had paused the reductions.
  • The reorganization absorbs USAID functions, consolidates over 300 domestic offices and narrows reemployment rules in the Foreign Affairs Manual.
  • Lawmakers, unions and veteran diplomats warn the cuts risk eroding U.S. diplomatic capacity and soft power during critical international challenges.