Washington: The Trump administration finalised Reductions in Force (RIFs) affecting roughly 250 Foreign Service officers and over 1,000 civil service employees last week.
More than 100 ambassador posts, including positions in Iran, Ukraine, and Russia, remain vacant.
The departures included entire specialised teams, such as the Bureau of Energy Resources, which handled Iran-related energy diplomacy and coordinated contracts in Iraq.
Former officers said the cuts reduced institutional knowledge critical for ongoing conflicts.
The American Foreign Service Association estimates that about 2,000 foreign service officers left the State Department last year due to retirements or RIFs. John Bass, former ambassador, warned that the losses could affect U.S. influence abroad.
Critics note that sensitive negotiations on Iran and Ukraine are now led by business associates and family members of President Trump, bypassing career diplomats with regional expertise.
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State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott defended the actions, saying the reorganisation eliminated redundant positions, consolidated functions, and empowered personnel in the field without disrupting operations.
The department added that experienced chargés d’affaires continue to lead missions in embassies without Senate-confirmed ambassadors.
Pigott said, “The President has the right to determine who represents the American people and interests around the world.”
