Looming Job Losses as Trump Orders Embassies to Reduce Staff

Donald Trump’s administration has initiated a purge targeting U.S. embassies worldwide days after he halted foreign aid to other countries.

This purge will involve staff reductions across various embassies as part of an effort to restructure the U.S. diplomatic corps.

According to Reuters, certain embassies have reportedly been instructed to cut both U.S. staff and locally employed personnel by 10% each.

A list of affected employees is expected to be submitted to the State Department by Friday, February 14. The department will then assess the information and decide on any further actions.

Trump Targets to Cut Staff at US Embassies Worldwide

A U.S. official confirmed that the State Department has recently laid off approximately 60 contractors from its Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, with the possibility of additional job cuts in other divisions.

ABC News was the first media outlet to report that U.S. embassies had been advised to begin planning for staff reductions.

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The State Department responded to reports of reduction of staff within US embassies stating that it does not comment on internal affairs.

“The State Department continues to assess our global posture to ensure we are best positioned to address modern challenges on behalf of the American people,” a representative at the department said.

Reports of the looming Trump purge of staff members comes at a time when President Donald Trump has halted foreign aid to other countries.

President Trump began the process of halted US foreign aid to other countries after his inauguration on January 20 2025. 

US President Halts USAID Program

This unprecedented move has resulted in job losses and the closure of several aid initiatives. The suspension was aimed at giving the administration time to assess and possibly discontinue specific programs.

Trump’s administration released an Executive Order titled “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which mandated immediate adjustments to the way US foreign aid is administered.

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One of the Foreign aid programs administered to other countries by US that was affected is the USAID.

However, a federal judge directed the Republican President’s administration must temporarily lift the funding freeze, emphasizing the significant harm it has inflicted on nonprofits and other organizations dependent on U.S. aid. The decision requires that funding continue, especially for pre-existing contracts established before the freeze.

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