State Department launches major staff cuts under Trump order

The State Department is slashing jobs faster than a budget-conscious CEO on a Monday morning.

The Daily Caller reported that the State Department has kicked off a sweeping reorganization, closing offices and laying off thousands of employees to align with President Donald Trump’s vision for a leaner, more focused government.

Back in April 2025, whispers of change started circulating when plans emerged for a significant restructuring, targeting a 17% reduction in offices, from 734 down to 602.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for President Trump’s executive order, paving the way for massive workforce cuts across federal agencies.

Just two days later, on July 10, Deputy Secretary of Management and Resources Michael Rigas dropped the bombshell to staff, confirming that a “Reduction in Force” was imminent.

“Once notifications have taken place, the Department will enter the final stage of its reorganization and focus its attention on delivering results-driven diplomacy,” Rigas declared. Well, that’s a polite way to say ‘pack your bags’—but let’s be real, trimming bureaucracy isn’t always a bad thing if it means prioritizing America’s core interests over endless red tape.

Mass Layoffs Hit State Department Hard

By Friday, July 11, reports confirmed that mass firings were already underway, with nearly 3,000 employees set to lose their jobs.

That tally includes over 1,100 Civil Service workers and more than 200 Foreign Service officers stationed domestically, as detailed in internal documents.

Alongside the layoffs, 132 offices are being shuttered for good, while 137 others will be relocated internally to streamline operations and boost efficiency—or so the plan goes.

A senior official noted that redundant offices misaligned with President Trump’s priorities are the primary targets for elimination. It’s a bold move to ditch programs that don’t serve national interests, though one wonders how “redundant” was defined in those closed-door meetings.

“Secretary Rubio, at the direction of President Trump, has undertaken a historic reorganization of the State Department, which was thoughtfully and deliberately executed by department leadership,” the official boasted.

“Thoughtfully” might be generous, but if this truly refocuses diplomacy on an America First agenda, it could cut through years of bureaucratic bloat.

On July 2, another layer of fat was trimmed when a program allowing underperforming diplomats to linger on payroll past their exit dates was axed, signaling no more free rides.

Leadership Promises Open Communication

In the weeks following the July 10 announcement, Under Secretaries are slated to hold town halls and engage with their teams to explain the upheaval.

Rigas also offered a pat on the back, saying, “On behalf of Department Leadership, we extend our gratitude for your hard work and commitment to executing this reorganization.”

Nice words, but they likely ring hollow to the thousands facing pink slips—still, it’s a nod to the tough reality of reform that someone’s got to take the hit for a tighter ship.

While the cuts sting for those affected, there’s an argument to be made that a streamlined State Department could better serve the American taxpayer by focusing on what truly matters in foreign policy.

This reorganization, love it or loathe it, is a clear signal that business as usual is over, and the push against overreaching bureaucracy is in full swing. Let’s hope the result matches the promise of efficiency and not just fewer hands on deck.