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The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing a large-scale reform of the State Department, which could be the largest since its founding in 1789. A draft executive order obtained by Bloomberg is already circulating among US diplomats around the world.
What is offered:
According to the document, the State Department will be reorganised into four regional bureaus that will cover
- Indo-Pacific region
- Latin America
- Middle East
- Eurasia
The reform is expected to come into force by 1 October 2025.
The project also provides for:
- Cancellation of dozens of departments, including those dealing with climate, democracy, refugees, Africa and cooperation with the UN.
- Closure of some embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Reduction of the diplomatic presence in Canada.
- USAID is disbanded: the functions of the US Agency for International Development are transferred to a new humanitarian bureau within the State Department.
- Written approval of all positions and responsibilities by the President of the United States.
Personnel changes and loyalty tests
The document provides for a new career model for diplomats, who will now be assigned to specific regions on a permanent basis. Those unwilling to work in the new system can apply for early dismissal by 30 September.
In addition, a new exam for entry into the diplomatic service is being introduced, which will assess compliance with the president’s foreign policy vision.
Education and DEI policies
- Fulbright Scholarships – now available only for Master’s degree programmes in national security, with priority given to studying “critical languages”: Chinese, Russian, Farsi and Arabic.
- All scholarships associated with Howard University have been cancelled as part of the elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Response.
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the reports of the reform “fake news”, but US diplomatic circles confirm that the 16-page document has already been sent to embassies.
The New York Times was the first to report on the project.
A senior African official told Bloomberg that the final version of the decree may be less radical than the current version. An official announcement is expected as early as Tuesday.
