U.S. State Department Begins Layoffs of 1350+ Employees | Trump’s Foreign Policy Shift
The U.S. State Department has started laying off more than 1,350 employees as part of a large-scale reorganization under President Donald Trump’s administration. This move is being criticized as a potential threat to America’s ability to protect its interests abroad.
🏛️ What’s Happening?
According to a report published in Dawn (sourced from Reuters), the U.S. State Department has issued an internal notice detailing the dismissal of:
- 1,107 Civil Service officers
- 246 Foreign Service officers
This is part of an effort to streamline internal operations and cut costs by eliminating what the department describes as non-essential functions and duplicated or outdated offices.
📉 Why Are These Layoffs Happening?
A senior State Department official shared that this is the first step in a broader reorganization plan aimed at aligning the department with Trump’s “America First” policy.
Reasons for the decision include:
- Reducing federal bureaucracy
- Cutting taxpayer costs
- Enforcing loyalty to the President’s foreign policy goals
- Increasing authority for regional offices and embassies
- Removing programs not aligned with core U.S. interests
⚠️ What Critics Are Saying
Many former diplomats and political analysts are voicing concerns. Key points raised include:
- Weakened U.S. diplomacy in the face of growing global challenges from countries like China and Russia
- Loss of experienced foreign service officers, reducing America’s ability to navigate complex global conflicts
- Reduction in oversight of war crimes and global human rights initiatives
💬 “This is one of the most reckless decisions being made at a time when global tensions are rising,” said Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia.
📜 Legal Developments and Timeline
- Originally planned to finish reorganization by July 1
- Delayed due to legal actions
- The U.S. Supreme Court recently approved the administration’s move, clearing the path for further layoffs
- Over 130 retired diplomats and former senior officials released a public letter opposing the changes
❓FAQs
How many employees are affected in total?
About 3,000, including those opting for voluntary retirement.
What kind of roles are being cut?
Mostly roles considered non-essential, overlapping, or outdated.
🇺🇸 Why is this linked to Trump’s “America First”?
Trump wants to reshape government agencies to reflect his foreign policy and cut down federal spending.
Is this move considered safe for national security?
Critics say it could reduce U.S. presence and influence globally, making the country less secure.
📢 Bonus: PTI to Hold GT Road Power Show
While the U.S. undergoes administrative changes, Pakistan’s PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) has decided to hold a power show on GT Road today. This is part of their ongoing political activities aiming to boost public support.
✅ Conclusion
The State Department layoffs are a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy structure. While the government frames it as a necessary reform to reduce bureaucracy and focus on core interests, critics warn of long-term consequences for global diplomacy. As the Trump administration presses forward, the world watches how these internal changes will shape America’s role on the global stage.
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