The US State Department is facing significant workforce upheaval as over 700 employees have resigned in the first two months of 2025, a drastic spike compared to the previous years. This mass exodus, including 450 career diplomats, comes at a time when the department is also planning further layoffs and potential closures of diplomatic missions abroad. These changes could severely impact the nation’s diplomatic reach and national security capabilities.
As reported by The New York Times, the resignations have raised alarms within the department, signaling a loss of seasoned professionals during a period of growing global tensions and diplomatic challenges. In addition to resignations, senior officials are considering closing several consulates overseas, particularly in Western Europe, as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and streamline operations.
State Department in turmoil
The US government’s global presence is under significant pressure, with the State Department already hemorrhaging personnel. According to The New York Times, the department has seen an astonishing rate of resignations, with 700 employees leaving, including 450 diplomats. Before 2025, only about 800 had resigned in total in an entire year. These resignations are largely attributed to a combination of voluntary retirements and frustration with ongoing staffing issues and political changes under the Trump administration.
Further compounding the problem is the department’s internal efforts to cut its operations budget by as much as 20%. These budget cuts could lead to more layoffs, particularly among local staff at US missions abroad, who make up two-thirds of the department’s workforce. Local workers are often the backbone of the department’s diplomatic operations, assisting with vital intelligence gathering and facilitating local partnerships.
Impact of mission closures and budget cuts
Among the most significant changes being considered are the closures of multiple diplomatic missions. A memo shared with Congress suggests that a dozen consulates, including those in Florence, Italy, and Hamburg, Germany, could be shut down by summer 2025. These consulates, although small, are critical in monitoring local developments and assisting US citizens abroad, as reported by The New York Times. The closures are part of a broader strategy to reduce the department’s overseas footprint, especially as the US seeks to focus more on domestic priorities.
The US diplomatic network, which currently has 271 posts globally, already lags behind China, which has 274 posts. With diplomatic ties and intelligence work increasingly important in the current geopolitical climate, these closures could further weaken the US presence in key regions, such as Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Rising concerns within the intelligence community
As the State Department moves forward with plans to reduce its operations, concerns about the impact on national security are growing. According to The New York Times, much of the CIA’s undercover work is conducted through US embassies and consulates, where intelligence officers often operate in diplomatic cover. The proposed closure of these posts could limit the CIA’s ability to monitor critical developments, especially in volatile regions.
Furthermore, senior staff in the State Department have expressed unease over the aggressive budget cuts and the departure of experienced diplomats. With the current uncertainty, the department faces mounting challenges in maintaining its global diplomatic efforts at a time when global influence and security concerns are at an all-time high.
