State Department, layoff notifications
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A U.S. diplomat laid off from the State Department after over 20 years says cutting the types of programs she worked on will be “devastating” to U.S. foreign policy and national security. The layoffs are part of a mass reorganization of the federal agency,
Donald Trump's unprecedented overhaul of the diplomatic corps will undermine U.S. ability to defend and promote its interests abroad, critics say.
A rally is expected, with supporters “clapping out” departing State Department employees and protesting the layoffs at 4 p.m. Friday.
The State Department will lay off more than 1,300 people as part of a broad restructuring plan, Reuters is reporting. The layoffs will affect 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers, according to Reuters, which said it has seen an internal notice. The Associated Press is reporting the same number.
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.
The department will begin issuing layoff notices to employees via email “in the coming days,” according to a staff memo obtained by The Washington Post.
No State Department official publicly said when the first notices for the planned layoffs would be sent, but the widespread expectation is for the terminations to start as soon as Friday.
A plan to overhaul the U.S. State Department and lay off employees is moving into the implementation phase following a Supreme Court decision earlier this week and will be carried out quickly, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday.