The U.S. State Department is embarking on a significant restructuring initiative under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The plan, announced in April, involves the elimination or consolidation of over 300 offices and bureaus within the agency, marking the largest reorganization since the Cold War. According to State Department officials, the overhaul aims to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, enhance the department’s ability to respond to global threats, and refocus efforts on the agency’s primary diplomatic mission.
Rubio first unveiled the restructuring plans in April, citing the department’s bloated and bureaucratic structure as a barrier to its essential diplomatic function. The agency submitted a notice to Congress on Thursday, revealing the scale of the overhaul and its intended impact. The proposed changes include merging overlapping functions, eliminating redundant units, and creating new offices to address emerging threats and immigration priorities. The reform is also intended to reduce the number of domestic offices, which currently number around 700, with the reorganization targeting the consolidation of over 40% of these.
A senior State Department official told Fox News Digital that the goal is to “shrink offices rather than create them,” emphasizing a focus on efficiency. The reorganization is expected to result in the elimination of up to roughly 3,400 domestic staff, representing between 15% and 20% of the department’s current domestic workforce. Additionally, the restructuring plans include adding nine new offices, including a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy and Western Values and new immigration security offices under the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to support President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Other changes include the creation of a new bureau of emerging threats to address issues related to artificial intelligence, hypersonic weapons, and space. The officials stated that the reorganization aims to re-imagine the department’s structure to advance the administration’s agenda, rather than merely cutting costs. The structure also aims to reduce bureaucratic layers in Washington, giving more power to embassies abroad to implement policy effectively. The restructuring is set to be completed by July 1, with Rubio instructing that the new structure be implemented by that date.
Rubio emphasized that the restructuring is not designed to cripple the department or reduce costs, but rather to empower regional bureaus and embassies. He stated that the best ideas for U.S. foreign policy originate from embassies, where he receives up to 15 cables each morning. Meanwhile, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., cautioned that any changes must be weighed carefully against the potential impact on American security and foreign leadership. Shaheen argued that a strong, mission-ready State Department is essential for advancing national security, opening new markets for American businesses, and promoting global stability.