Trump's State Department Shake-Up: A New Era for U.S. Diplomacy?

The Trump administration is planning a significant overhaul of the U.S. State Department, aiming to align it with 'America First' priorities. This includes eliminating over 100 offices, reducing staff by 15%, and closing 700 positions. This restructuring focuses on empowering regional bureaus and cutting misaligned programs.

The Trump administration has announced plans for a substantial restructuring of the U.S. State Department, aiming to align the agency with President Trump's 'America First' agenda. The proposal involves the elimination of over 100 offices and a 15% reduction in staff, totaling around 700 position cuts according to reports.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who supports Trump's initiative, stated that the current department structure is overly bureaucratic and hinders effective decision-making. The reorganization focuses on empowering regional bureaus and shelving programs not aligned with U.S. national interests. Concerns remain about the planned dismantling of the Undersecretary of Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

Critics have expressed concern over the potential impact on democracy and human rights efforts. The Office of Global Criminal Justice is reportedly absent in the new structure. Despite the changes, spokesperson Tammy Bruce assured that some issues will still remain priorities, though specific plans are yet to be discussed. Department-level assessments will determine job reductions in the coming weeks.

(With inputs from agencies.)