**A recent draft executive order proposes to overhaul the U.S. State Department, eliminating key operations, particularly in Africa, along with downsizing staff and redefining hiring criteria.**
**Proposed Changes at U.S. State Department Spark Controversy**
**Proposed Changes at U.S. State Department Spark Controversy**
**Draft Order Suggests Significant Cuts to Operations and Workforce**
The latest draft of a White House executive order stands to reshape the U.S. State Department significantly, heralding an era of cuts that could strip the agency of vital functions, especially in Africa. President Trump is expected to sign this order shortly, which aims to streamline operations but risks halting work on critical issues such as democracy, human rights, and climate change.
The proposed changes, outlined in a leaked 16-page document, include the dissolution of almost all African operations and the closure of multiple embassies and consulates across the continent. Furthermore, the draft emphasizes the need to cut programs addressing essential global challenges, as well as to terminate resources dedicated to refugee support.
Current and former officials have indicated that signing the executive order would coincide with potential layoffs among both career diplomats and other State Department employees, stirring unrest among staff who rely on job stability. They may face layoffs or be placed on paid leave as the department moves to enact these sweeping changes before a deadline of October 1.
The proposal also aims to abolish the foreign service exam traditionally required for aspiring diplomats and outlines new hiring criteria that demand alignment with the president’s foreign policy goals. There are plans to incorporate artificial intelligence to automate various bureaucratic processes, from document drafting to policy formulation, potentially diminishing the role of human input in foreign diplomacy.
The proposed changes, outlined in a leaked 16-page document, include the dissolution of almost all African operations and the closure of multiple embassies and consulates across the continent. Furthermore, the draft emphasizes the need to cut programs addressing essential global challenges, as well as to terminate resources dedicated to refugee support.
Current and former officials have indicated that signing the executive order would coincide with potential layoffs among both career diplomats and other State Department employees, stirring unrest among staff who rely on job stability. They may face layoffs or be placed on paid leave as the department moves to enact these sweeping changes before a deadline of October 1.
The proposal also aims to abolish the foreign service exam traditionally required for aspiring diplomats and outlines new hiring criteria that demand alignment with the president’s foreign policy goals. There are plans to incorporate artificial intelligence to automate various bureaucratic processes, from document drafting to policy formulation, potentially diminishing the role of human input in foreign diplomacy.
