State Department Finalizes Layoffs Amid Ongoing Recruitment Efforts
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The State Department has finalized layoffs for nearly 250 Foreign Service employees while simultaneously launching a recruitment campaign, raising concerns about workforce planning.
The State Department has finalized the layoffs of nearly 250 Foreign Service employees who had been on paid administrative leave since receiving reduction-in-force (RIF) notices last summer. This decision coincides with the department's recent recruitment campaign to attract new personnel to the Foreign Service.
In a notice to the affected employees, the department stated that the reorganization aimed to streamline government functions and enhance accountability. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) criticized the move, stating, "The department has never adequately explained why it is removing experienced Foreign Service professionals with critical skills while simultaneously hiring new personnel. This is not sound workforce planning. It is a disruption to the career diplomatic corps at a moment when the country can least afford it."
Under Secretary for Management Jason Evans informed lawmakers that the laid-off employees would not be eligible to compete for vacant positions. Despite the recruitment drive, the department's fiscal 2027 budget justification indicates plans to reduce its workforce further, aiming for about 11,000 Foreign Service employees and 6,000 civil service employees next year, down from pre-Trump administration levels of over 14,000 and nearly 13,000, respectively.
The State Department has not provided additional comments on the layoffs or the recruitment campaign.