State Department fires over 1,300 employees under Trump plan

The State Department is laying off over 1,300 employees as part of a reorganization plan initiated by the Trump administration. This includes 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers. The layoffs come after the department informed staffers about upcoming notices. Affected individuals will face a separation period of 60 or 120 days before their termination.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio describes this effort as a way to streamline operations and increase efficiency. Critics argue that these cuts will diminish U.S. diplomatic influence. The restructuring targets overlapping functions, particularly affecting offices overseeing U.S. operations in Afghanistan and programs related to refugees and human rights.