Over 1,000 staff laid off at US State Department

In the USA, more than 1,000 State Department employees have been laid off as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Local media reported that the involuntary staff reductions included 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign service employees.It also stated that nearly all civil service staff in the U.S. refugee admissions office were cut. More than 1,500 other State Department employees took voluntary departures earlier this year as part of the federal government’s massive reorganization effort. The layoffs come just days after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s plan to slash the size of the federal workforce could move forward.Videos shared on social media show civil service members in the lobby of the department, leaving the building with their belongings. Other employees are seen applauding former colleagues and hugging one another.

1,300+ State Dept. staff FIRED in single Trump sweep

Laid off workers applauded as they exit building pic.twitter.com/RTiaAyBKTA

— RT (@RT_com) July 11, 2025

Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a statement saying the "decision to fire hundreds of members of the Civil Service and Foreign Service at the Department of State undermines our national security". The cuts to the workforce originate from a campaign promise from President Donald Trump cut government spending.