U.S. State Department Faces Radical Restructuring Under Proposed Executive Order

Proposed changes include major reductions in foreign service operations, elimination of the foreign service exam, and a call for increased use of artificial intelligence to streamline processes.

A draft White House executive order, potentially signed by President Trump this week, proposes a reorganization of the State Department that aims to simplify its operations but could lead to significant disruptions in its Africa initiatives and broader diplomatic missions.

The comprehensive 16-page draft outlines plans to largely cut back on U.S. embassies and consulates across Africa, alongside shutting down various critical offices related to climate change, democracy, human rights, and refugee support. Officials familiar with the proposal indicated that this drastic approach is aimed at reducing “waste, fraud, and abuse,” and could result in the layoffs of numerous foreign service officers and civil service staff.

Under the plan, the foreign service examination, traditionally a gateway for aspiring diplomats, would be abolished, replaced by recruitment criteria that focus on aligning candidates with the president's foreign policy goals. Moreover, the draft emphasizes a significant increase in utilizing artificial intelligence for administrative tasks, ranging from document generation to operational strategizing and policy development.

These sweeping changes are expected to reshape the face of U.S. diplomacy and potentially hamper its engagement on crucial global issues such as climate change and human rights as they struggle with allocated resources and staffing. The proposed orders will compel the department to implement these measures by October 1, paving the way for a potentially tumultuous transition in American foreign affairs.