Diplomacy
Updated
The State Department laid them off, then it promoted them
The department is sending a message that "even excellence cannot protect your career," union says.
State Department lays off 1,350 employees
The department says the cuts, part of a reorganization that will see 3,000 total personnel reductions, will slash redundancy and walk back growth over the last 25 years.
State Department tells employees mass layoffs are imminent
State is poised to be the first agency to move forward with RIFs after receiving the Supreme Court's blessing.
State Dept. further prepares for mass layoffs even as court block remains
A judge specified last month that State, like most major agencies, cannot yet move forward with RIFs.
Breaking News
Judge blocks State Department layoffs
The Trump administration has sought special dispensation to imminently cut staff at State, but employees won a—potentially short-lived—reprieve.
State Department ‘appears’ to be violating court order by issuing layoffs as soon as June 13, judge says
The Trump administration says it has paused planned RIFs at 17 agencies, but State is “a special case.”
Here's where the State Department is planning its layoffs and changes
Various national security offices, as well as units that cover Asia and the Middle East, will be consolidated or slashed. Thousands of employees across divisions are targeted for cuts.
Exclusive
State Dept. cuts poised to be more severe than previously outlined with 3,400 employees on the chopping block
There were bipartisan concerns from lawmakers about a planned break-up of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, according to meeting notes. Office eliminations are expected by June 2.
Updated
State to slash 15% of domestic staff, eliminate 132 offices
Layoffs expected by July 1, though embassy and overseas closures are not yet part of the plan
Rubio denies that Trump will politicize the Foreign Service and slash embassies
State Department says a draft executive order, which would have created new loyalty requirements for career staff and eliminated many offices, is fake. A reorganization of the department is still expected shortly.
Experts fear global media agency’s gutting will strip key tools against foreign propaganda
U.S. Agency for Global Media programs serve a critical function in the face of U.S. adversaries’ efforts to wage information warfare against American allies and regions of critical interest, an influence operations analyst said.
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What does the head of the State Department do?
The secretary of state has an expansive job that could make or break peace deals and key foreign alliances.
Biden’s State Dept. hiring surge ‘at the heart of everything’ he’s accomplished diplomatically, secretary says
Administration officials hope their gains can withstand an adversarial administration or Congress next year.
Exclusive
State Dept. hopeful even a Trump administration would continue its hiring and reform efforts
Trump appointees clashed with the foreign service in his first term, but top official hopes to sell them on taking a new path if he is re-elected.
State Department’s top ranks need more career staff, senators say
Lawmakers look to promote a more merit-based system for top diplomats.
Meet the frustrated negotiators seeking a Gaza ceasefire
Qatar is increasingly the world’s mediator, but this is the energy-rich sheikdom’s toughest case yet.
State Department warns of significant risks due to ongoing budget pressures
State's top appropriator says he will try to make FY25 as "minimally harmful" as possible for the department, but Secretary Blinken cautions an already understaffed workforce would suffer without more resources.
‘We are more complicit:’ Biden’s Israel policies spur feds to protest at the White House
A group of federal employees say their knowledge and access force them to speak out against the administration's position in the Israel-Gaza war.
Group of feds causes firestorm after ‘walking out’ over Biden’s Israel policies
House speaker has called for their firings, but the group is pledging further action.
State Department restores passport processing to pre-pandemic levels
A hiring surge and mandatory overtime has brought passport processing down to its lowest level in years.
