Trump administration officials have defended the mass dismissals, saying they are overdue and necessary to make the department leaner and more efficient. Among the employees laid off are more than 100 people who worked in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, which is self-funded from passport and visa fees.

Impacted units in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy include the Office of Bilateral and Regional Affairs and Office of Strategy, Programs and Communications.

On Friday, the Trump administration laid off about 1,350 employees at the State Department. A number of news reports described the staff cuts as “devastating.” Others suggested the downsizing will […]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists he is streamlining a bloated department, but critics warn the cost to America’s standing and influence could be high.

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - The State Department began firing more than 1,350 U.S.-based employees on Friday as the administration of President Donald Trump presses ahead with an unprecedented overhaul of its diplomatic corps, a move critics say will undermine U.S. ability to defend and promote U.S. interests abroad.

The US State Department will start sending notices to members of its workforce impacted by the reorganisation soon, the agency’s top official for management said on Thursday, as President Donald Trump’s administration moves ahead with its plans to overhaul the US diplomatic corps and cut jobs.

The White House is reportedly eyeing big cuts to the State Department’s budget and eliminating U.S. spending on NATO and the United Nations. The Washington Post and The Associated Press both ...