State Department is firing more than 1,300 staff on Friday, internal memo says
The firings will affect 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign service officers, the notice said. It comes as the State Department implements a drastic reorganization as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to shrink the federal government.
Hundreds of offices and bureaus are being eliminated or altered as a result of the changes.
'Nearly 3,000 members of the workforce will depart as part of the reorganization,' the notice said. That number includes people who are being fired as well as those leaving voluntarily.
'In connection with the Departmental reorganization first announced by the Secretary of State on April 22, 2025, the Department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities,' the notice said.
'Headcount reductions have been carefully tailored to affect non-core functions, duplicative or redundant offices, and offices where considerable efficiencies may be found from centralization or consolidation of functions and responsibilities.'
Foreign service officers who are given 'Reduction in Force' (RIF) notices on Friday will be placed on administrative leave for 120 days before formally losing their jobs, according to the notice. Most civil servants will be placed on leave for 60 days before their firing takes effect, the notice said.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
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