U.S. diplomats in Washington are preparing for significant reductions in the State Department workforce, with termination notices anticipated to be distributed as early as Friday, according to multiple officials with insight into the situation.
The layoffs are part of a sweeping reorganization designed to streamline operations within the federal agency, including the merging or dissolution of over 300 bureaus and offices and a targeted 15% cut in staffing levels.
Projected layoffs will affect nearly 3,000 employees, involving dismissals of more than 1,100 civil service workers and around 250 foreign service officers, according to an internal notice obtained by NBC News.
Michael Rigas, the deputy secretary of state for management and resources, communicated to employees in an email late Thursday that termination notices would be sent promptly.
He expressed gratitude for the dedication and service of those affected, commenting on the motivation behind the extensive restructuring efforts.
“In April, the Secretary announced the largest reorganization of the Department in decades,” Rigas stated.
He clarified that the reorganization’s primary goal is to focus resources on priority policies while eliminating redundant functions, thus empowering remaining personnel and boosting accountability.
On Friday morning, signs throughout the State Department instructed employees on where to turn in their identification badges and outlined procedures for their transitions.
Employees were advised to report to work equipped with their department-issued tools, including laptops, phones, and diplomatic passports.
Large screens displayed information directing personnel to human resources websites and contact numbers, intending to assist them in navigating the transition.
This reorganization plan has been months in the making, featuring communication from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Congress in May, detailing plans to cut approximately 1,800 U.S.-based positions from the approximately 19,000 employees working at the State Department.
In addition, over 1,500 employees opted for early retirement under the Trump administration’s offer of deferred resignations, preserving their salaries and health care benefits until September 2023.
Rubio praised the reorganization efforts, asserting that they represented a deliberate approach to restructuring the department.
“The reduction of force is a consequence of the reorg. It’s not a consequence of trying to get rid of people,” Rubio explained during a media session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He justified the layoffs, stating that closing bureaus leads to an elimination of the positions associated with them.
While a federal judge in California momentarily stalled the layoffs, the Supreme Court recently ruled that the Trump administration’s overhaul plans for the agency could proceed.
This legal uncertainty had left thousands of civil servants and foreign service officers in a state of limbo, inhibiting their ability to plan for their professional futures.
One civil servant expressed relief that the process was finally nearing closure, acknowledging that the layoffs had been anticipated since the inception of the reorganization.
“Every Friday morning, I wake up with dread. At least now we can move on,” she stated.
Concerns regarding low morale among State Department staff were acknowledged by a senior official, who noted that the delays and uncertainties were unfortunate yet beyond their control.
“The courts have delayed this reorganization, kept this uncertainty, unfortunately, over the workforce,” the official remarked.
Despite the adverse conditions, they emphasized the administration’s compliance with court orders and injunctions throughout the process.
Former senior career diplomats within the State Department voiced worry over the extensive loss of experience stemming from early retirements, questioning the implications this could have on future recruitment for the diplomatic corps.
In response, a senior State Department official mentioned that an evaluation of recruitment and retention strategies is part of a broader executive initiative, although the federal hiring freeze remains effective.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce acknowledged the dedication of the diplomats but stated that the decision for layoffs was not personal.
Instead, she framed the cuts as essential for reforming a bureaucracy perceived to have become too large and ineffective.
“This is about making sure that the State Department is able to operate in a manner that makes it relevant and effective,” Bruce stated, emphasizing the need for efficiency in aligning with American public expectations.
Reports indicated that the State Department is reviewing U.S. missions overseas, including considerations of consulate and embassy closures.
However, a senior Department official confirmed that no additional cuts are planned at this time, asserting the importance of continually evaluating their operational effectiveness.
“We don’t have any plans for that right now, but I think just good practice means a constant review and evaluation of how we’re doing our job,” the senior official noted.
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