Leaked Draft Order Reveals Potential Radical Overhaul of State Department Under Trump Administration

A leaked draft executive order circulating among State Department officials outlines a dramatic restructuring and reduction of the agency, potentially marking the most significant reorganization since its inception in 1789, according to a copy of the document seen by Bloomberg.

The 16-page draft proposes the elimination of numerous positions and departments, targeting areas such as climate, refugees, democracy promotion, and engagement with Africa. Notably, the Bureau of International Organizations, which serves as a liaison with the United Nations, is also slated for elimination. Furthermore, the document suggests a substantial cut to diplomatic operations in Canada.

These proposals continue the Trump administration’s trend of challenging the US role in the multilateral world order, an order it historically helped establish.

Under the proposed changes, the State Department would be reorganized into four regional bureaus: Indo-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eurasia. An unspecified number of “non-essential” embassies and consulates in Sub-Saharan Africa would also be closed.

The draft order stipulates that these changes should be implemented by October 1.

However, the authenticity and full implementation of the draft remain uncertain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denounced the report, calling it “fake news” and accusing the New York Times, which first reported on the draft, of falling victim to a hoax.

Meanwhile, a senior official in Africa suggested that forthcoming reforms to the foreign service, potentially announced as early as Tuesday, might be less extensive than those detailed in the leaked document.