Factbox-Major changes in Trump's overhaul US State Department
By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed a major overhaul of the U.S. State Department that would shutter more than 100 offices, part of President Donald Trump's push to shrink the federal government and align policymaking with his "America First" priorities.
It is unclear how many jobs will be lost as part of the shake-up and officials said some details could change. But the proposed reorganization, laid out in an announcement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and based on a new organizational chart and internal documents seen by Reuters, points to new priorities for Washington's premier diplomatic agency.
Speaking in a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the closure of bureaus did not necessarily mean Washington would not work on those areas but could not give any details on under which bureaus exactly those functions would be transferred.
Here are the key changes in the proposal:
NEW HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR
The plan abolishes the role of Undersecretary of Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, incorporating much of its work into a "reimagined" Coordinator of Foreign and Humanitarian Affairs, according to an internal fact sheet.
The previously standalone offices for religious freedom and human trafficking will be folded into other bureaus under that coordinator, the fact sheet said.
WAR CRIMES, CONFLICT OFFICES ABOLISHED
The offices of Global Criminal Justice, which monitors war crimes and atrocities, and will be "sunset," the fact sheet said. The office has in the past issued determinations when the U.S. assesses that genocide or crimes against humanity have been committed, and coordinates with other countries on potential war crimes prosecutions.
The plan also does away with the bureau for Conflict and Stabilization Operations, which monitors the implementation of peace agreements and conducts analysis on conflicts worldwide.
WOMEN'S ISSUES
The Office of Global Women's Issues, which is headed by an ambassador-at-large who promotes the rights of women and girls, does not appear on the proposed new organization chart.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
The plan sets up a new bureau for "emerging threats" that would deal with cybersecurity, AI and space, according to a the fact sheet.
Bureaus working on counternarcotics and law enforcement, and counterterrorism will also be moved under the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security.
REGIONAL BUREAUS
The plan seeks to give more power to regional bureaus and embassies around the world. The department's six regional bureaus will each create an office of assistance to coordinate aid, the fact sheet said.
"Moving forward, the regional bureaus will absorb a number of functional issues to increase the authority, responsibility, and accountability of regional bureau heads, allowing them to seamlessly align policy with non-security foreign assistance and to provide leadership within the Department," it said.
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