Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a significant reorganization plan for the US State Department, marking the first stage of a major overhaul that will see the elimination of 132 domestic offices, a reduction of approximately 700 positions in Washington, DC, and the closure of offices dedicated to war crimes and global conflict.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Rubio emphasized the need to align the State Department with President Trump's "America First" foreign policy. He stated that the current structure is ineffective, citing the department as "bloated" and "bureaucratic" and unable to fulfill its essential diplomatic mission amidst the new era of great power competition. Rubio noted that despite the department's unprecedented growth over the past 15 years, it has not yielded effective diplomacy or a return on investment for taxpayers.
Rubio's statement highlighted the department's bureaucratic challenges, describing it as more influenced by radical political ideology than focused on advancing America's core national interests. He outlined that the reorganization plan aims to modernize the department by consolidating region-specific functions, removing redundant offices, and eliminating non-statutory programs that do not align with America's core interests.
Rubio expressed confidence in the reformed department's ability to meet current challenges under President Trump's leadership, emphasizing a commitment to prioritizing America and Americans. He concluded by asserting that the reorganization would empower the department from the ground up, enhancing its functionality and effectiveness in the global arena.