The U.S. Supreme Court's recent order permits mass layoffs across federal agencies, beginning with the State Department. This agency plans to reduce its U.S. workforce by 15 percent, affecting approximately 3,400 jobs. Critics argue the layoffs jeopardize American diplomacy. The State Department's reorganization aims to eliminate offices related to democracy and human rights, favoring instead new offices that emphasize civil liberties and free market principles. The administration is also prioritizing the reduction of foreign aid, furthering its budgetary and personnel cuts.
The State Department formally notified employees on Thursday that it was about to begin layoffs as part of a consolidation plan that department officials say will reduce bureaucratic bloat but that critics call a shortsighted blow to American diplomacy.
In all, the department's U.S.-based work force of about 18,000 people will shrink by about 15 percent.
The State Department formally told Congress about its reorganization plans in May, telling lawmakers it intended to eliminate about 3,400 U.S.-based jobs and close or merge almost half of its domestic offices.
At the time, the department said it planned to phase out some offices focused on democracy or human rights that it claimed were 'prone to ideological capture,' and add new offices focused on 'civil liberties' and 'free market principles.'
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