State Department Cuts 15% Staff, Human Rights Offices

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a sweeping reorganization of the State Department, resulting in a 15% reduction in U.S.-based staff and the elimination of over 100 bureaus, aligning with the Trump administration's 'America First' priorities. The restructuring includes significant cuts to programs focused on Africa, the climate crisis, refugees, and human rights, as well as the elimination of a body that investigates war crimes. A division responsible for 'civilian security, democracy, and human rights' will be replaced by a new office overseeing foreign assistance and humanitarian affairs, absorbing many functions previously held by the US Agency for International Development. The new structure will shift the department’s focus to 'democracy, human rights, and religious freedom,' merging some previous roles and reducing emphasis on labor and workers' rights advocacy. Rubio and spokespersons justified the overhaul by describing the department as bloated and ideologically misaligned with core U.S. national interests, emphasizing the need for efficiency and diplomatic relevance amid great-power competition. Critics note that while some functions may continue in other forms, the cuts could substantially diminish U.S. engagement on human rights and humanitarian issues globally.