The U.S. State Department is set to lay off more than 1,300 employees as part of a sweeping reorganisation plan initiated by President Donald Trump's administration earlier this year, CNN reported.
The move marks one of the largest internal shakeups in recent decades and is aimed at significantly downsizing the department’s workforce and eliminating what officials describe as redundant functions.
According to a senior State Department official cited by the Associated Press, layoff notices will be issued to 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers currently assigned to domestic roles. The reorganisation plan, first submitted to Congress in May, proposes an 18% staff reduction and the elimination of several programs and offices deemed non-essential.
An internal notice accessed by AP indicates that civil servants affected by the layoffs will receive a 60-day separation period, while foreign service officers will be placed on 120 days of administrative leave before their termination is finalized.
“In connection with the departmental reorganisation … the department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities,” the internal memo stated. It added that reductions would focus on non-core functions, duplicative offices, and divisions where centralization or consolidation could yield significant efficiencies.
Supreme Court Clears Way, Legal Challenges Remain
The announcement comes shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted lower court orders that had temporarily frozen the implementation of the cuts. However, several legal challenges contesting the legality of the layoffs remain active.
Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael Rigas acknowledged the gravity of the decision in a separate notice to staff, thanking employees for their “dedication and service” during what he described as a difficult transition.
Impact on Immigration, Human Rights, And Democracy Programs
The State Department’s letter to Congress outlined that the reorganisation will include eliminating divisions and terminating programs related to immigration, human rights, and the promotion of democracy—areas that have traditionally been central to American foreign policy.
The Associated Press also reported that the department is considering dissolving divisions overseeing America’s involvement in Afghanistan, further signaling a pivot in strategic priorities under the Trump administration.
Rubio: 'Not About Getting Rid of People'
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision during a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday. He emphasized that the cuts are part of a “very deliberate step” to make the department “more efficient and more focused.”
“If you close the bureau, you don’t need those positions,” Rubio said, clarifying that many of the eliminated roles are tied to shuttered offices rather than specific individuals. “Understand that some of these are positions that are being eliminated, not people,” he told reporters.
As the Trump administration continues its push to reshape the federal bureaucracy, the State Department's overhaul signals a broader ideological shift, prioritizing hardline diplomacy and structural efficiency over traditional soft power and humanitarian engagement.
