The Trump administration drafts an executive order proposing sweeping reforms to the U.S. State Department, aligning it with an “America First Strategic Doctrine.”
Quick Takes
- President Trump reviews a draft for a large-scale State Department overhaul.
- Embassy closures in Africa and Canada among the proposed changes.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismisses the reports as “fake news.”
- AI may replace diplomats, shifting job functions.
- The overhaul aligns with “America First Strategic Doctrine.”
Proposed Structural Changes
A 16-page draft executive order under the Trump administration proposes comprehensive changes to the State Department to reflect an “America First Strategic Doctrine.” These changes include substantial restructuring, such as the consolidation of regional bureaus into four “regional corps” covering Eurasia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Indo-Pacific. The plan calls for replacing diplomats with AI in many roles and shrinking the U.S. diplomatic presence in non-essential locations.
Embassies and consulates across sub-Saharan Africa could face closure, with remaining priorities focused on counterterrorism and resource extraction. Similarly, operations in Canada could be reduced, with a smaller embassy in Ottawa and the merger of Canada’s desk into a larger North American affairs office.
A draft of a Trump executive order proposes a drastic restructuring of the State Department, including eliminating almost all of its Africa operations
It also calls for cutting offices on climate change, refugee issues democracy and human rights concerns https://t.co/gl8KUB9hRx
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) April 20, 2025
Controversy and Criticism
The document’s leak stirred significant backlash and controversy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the report on this potential plan as “fake news.” However, the detailed proposals—such as abolishing the Bureau of African Affairs and replacing it with a special envoy—stir concerns of ceding ground to Russia and China, who may increase their influence in Africa if the U.S. scales back its presence.
Additionally, the draft pushes for replacing the Foreign Service Officer Test with an evaluation of policy alignment, leading to an ideological realignment within the Department. A proposed budget cut could also reduce the State Department’s operational funds by nearly half to $28.4 billion.
Implications for Diplomacy
Set for planned implementation by October 1, the transition to the new structure offers a buyout for personnel unwilling to stay. Criticism of the draft—it has been labeled “bonkers crazypants” by concerned diplomats—reflects unease about the radical transformation depicting AI-focused diplomatic functions and office closures tackling climate and social issues.
The far-reaching administrative changes aim to project American strength and comply with Trump’s foreign policy directions. While dismissed by the administration as another misinformation attempt, the reform drafts remain points of concern with potential policy shifts forecasted to realign America’s global diplomatic footprint with perceived nationalistic priorities.
Sources:
- Diplomats Are Freaking Out About Trump’s Leaked Executive Order
- Trump draft executive order would make sweeping changes to the U.S. State Department – DNyuz
