'To focus on policy priorities': US State Department to send layoff notices to staffers soon; set for 'biggest reorganization'

The United States Department of State on Thursday formally informed its staffers that some of them would be receiving their layoff notices soon, as part of dramatic changes announced by the Donald Trump administration earlier this year.

According to State Department deputy secretary Michael Rigas, select staffers would be informed if they were being laid off for what would be the its "biggest reorganization " in decades.

“Soon, we will be communicating to individuals affected by the reduction in force. We want to thank them for their dedication and service to the United States,” Rigas said in a letter to the staffers, The Associate Press reported.

"The aim is to focus resources on policy priorities and eliminate redundant functions, empowering our people while increasing accountability,” the letter added.

However, it wasn't immediately clear how many people would be dismissed.

These workforce cuts and reorganization are part of a wider administration effort to reduce the size of the federal government. This work has been largely carried out by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formerly led by Elon Musk.

A recent ruling by the Supreme Court cleared the way for the layoffs to start, while lawsuits challenging the legality of the cuts continue to play out.

The 'reorganization' plan

In late May, the State Department notified the Congress of an updated reorganization plan, proposing cuts to programmes beyond what had been revealed earlier by secretary of state Marco Rubio, in addition to an 18% reduction of staff in the United States, even higher than the 15% initially floated in April.

The Rubio-led department has proposed to eliminate some divisions tasked with oversight of America's two-decade involvement in Afghanistan, including an office focused on resettling Afghan nationals who worked alongside the US military. It also intends to eliminate policies related to refugees and immigration, as well as human rights and democracy promotion.

Critics allege that the scale of cuts floated would "lessen" America's influence globally and make it hard for many departments to carry out their missions.

The American Foreign Service Association, the union which represents diplomats, urged last month to hold off on job cuts.

"Notices for a reduction in force, which would not only lay off employees but eliminate positions altogether, should be a last resort. Disrupting the Foreign Service puts national interests at risk — and Americans everywhere will bear the consequences,” association President Tom Yazdgerdi stated.