rubio unveils bold state department overhaul amid criticisms
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a plan for the "dramatic restructuring" of the State Department, which includes, among other changes, the elimination of the department tasked with addressing "attacks by left-wing activists." These changes are anticipated to impact numerous countries.
What do you need to know?
- State Department restructuring: Marco Rubio has announced changes aimed at eliminating the department dealing with "attacks by left-wing activists" on conservative leaders.
- Reduction of staff: Plans are in place to reduce the number of State Department employees in the US by 15%, which might lead to the closure of some embassies and consulates.
- Criticism of the current structure: Rubio described the State Department as "overgrown and bureaucratic," committed to a "radical political ideology."
What changes does Marco Rubio plan?
Rubio criticised the State Department as "excessively overgrown and bureaucratic" and "tied to a radical political ideology." In a brief statement, without detailed specifics, he announced the elimination of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. As "The New York Times" explains, this branch was responsible for promoting American values abroad.
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Rubio claimed that this office had turned into a "platform for left-wing activists," who targeted conservative leaders and pushed for sanctions on arms supplies to Israel.
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He additionally criticised the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, accusing it of transferring large amounts of taxpayer money to non-governmental organisations supporting migration and - as he phrased it - "the invasion at the southern border" of the US.
The planned reform is expected to result in a 15 percent reduction in employment within the State Department. Department employees are now waiting for more detailed information regarding potential layoffs and the closure of embassies and consulates.
Previous reports from the "NYT" suggest that the Trump administration is considering the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates and plans to cut the State Department's budget by nearly fifty percent. These changes could have a significant impact on the situation in many countries.
