A somber atmosphere filled the halls of the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., on Friday as colleagues embraced and applauded their departing coworkers. Over 1,300 employees were officially laid off—part of a broader plan to eliminate 2,000 positions announced earlier by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
اضافة اعلان
In an internal email, Rubio explained that the layoffs were intended to streamline decision-making, eliminate redundant roles, and better allocate resources toward priority policies, all in an effort to deliver improved services to taxpayers.
Emotional Farewells Amid Heavy Security
Security was heightened throughout the State Department building, while diplomats wept and hugged one another. Many were escorted to conference rooms to pack their belongings and return work materials. Some employees posted notes of gratitude such as “Thank you for your service” and “Your work made a difference.”
Blow to U.S. Diplomacy
The dismissals sparked backlash from current and former diplomats, who warned that the cuts could significantly undermine U.S. global influence and soft power. Critics argue that such a large reduction—particularly within key policy departments—will cripple American diplomatic capabilities.
Key Offices Shut Down
The layoffs included nearly 12 staff members from the Office of Global Climate Change, effectively shuttering it. The Office for Afghan Resettlement Coordination was also disbanded. Cuts extended to programs supporting global women's issues, diversity and inclusion, and diplomatic missions in conflict zones like Syria, as well as personnel overseeing chemical weapons and multilateral nuclear diplomacy.
Breakdown of Terminations
1,100 foreign service employees received termination notices and were immediately placed on paid administrative leave. They will lose their jobs after 120 days.
240 civil service employees were also notified and will depart within 60 days.
Rubio defended the sweeping reform as essential to eliminating bureaucracy that "stifles innovation and misallocates scarce resources." He claimed some departments had succumbed to “extreme political ideologies.”
Democratic Lawmakers Respond
Senator Jeanne Shaheen and other Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee condemned the layoffs, stating:
“If this administration truly believes in ‘America First,’ it should invest in our diplomatic corps—not dismantle the very institutions that protect our interests, values, and citizens abroad.”
Legal Backing from Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court, now with a conservative majority, cleared the way for the Trump administration’s layoffs by lifting a lower court injunction. This paves the path for mass reorganizations in 19 federal agencies, including the State Department, despite ongoing legal challenges related to lack of congressional consultation.
American Foreign Service Association: “This Is Not Reform”
The American Foreign Service Association, which represents U.S. diplomats, criticized the move, reporting that 20% of the diplomatic workforce had been cut in the past six months alone.
“These layoffs are not about efficiency or mission needs. They’re politically targeted, not performance-based. This is not reform—it’s dismantlement,” the association said.
As America’s diplomatic footprint shrinks, observers warn that its ability to lead on global issues—from security to climate to humanitarian response—may be seriously diminished.
