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The mass exodus comes at a time when the department is planning to further layoffs and potential closures of diplomatic missions abroad.
The resignations have raised alarms within the department (File)
The US State Department is facing massive turbulence as over 700 employees, including over 450 career diplomats, have resigned in two months of 2025.
The mass exodus comes at a time when the department is planning to further layoffs and potential closures of diplomatic missions abroad.
The resignations have raised alarms within the department, triggering a loss of seasoned professionals, The New York Times reported. Additionally, senior officials are considering closing several consulates abroad, particularly in Western Europe in a bid to reduce costs.
As per the outlet, the State Department is in turmoil with mass resignations. Before 2025, only about 800 had resigned in total in a 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.
Additionally, the department’s efforts to cut its operational budget is further compounding the problem. These budget cuts could lead to more layoffs, particularly among local staff at US missions abroad.
According to the report, 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. The closures are part of a strategy to reduce the department’s overseas footprint, at a time when US seeks to focus more on domestic priorities.
The State Department’s plans to scale back its operations are raising alarms about potential risks to national security. A key concern is the CIA’s reliance on US embassies and consulates for undercover operations, with intelligence officers frequently using diplomatic cover. Shutting down these diplomatic outposts could significantly hinder the CIA’s capacity to track crucial developments, particularly in volatile regions.
Senior State Department officials are concerned about aggressive budget cuts and the loss of experienced diplomats. These factors create uncertainty and make it increasingly difficult for the department to maintain global diplomatic efforts, despite growing global influence and security concerns.
