Rubio unveils a massive overhaul of the State Department, with a reduction of staff and bureaus

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)- Secretary of State Marco Rubio has unveiled a massive overhaul of the State Department. The plans revealed Tuesday (April 22, 2025) would eventually reduce staff in the U.S. by 15% while closing and consolidating more than 100 bureaus worldwide as part of the Trump administration’s “America First” mandate. The reorganization plan, announced by Rubio on social media and detailed in documents obtained by The Associated Press, is the latest effort by the White House to reimagine U.S. foreign policy. Plans include consolidating 734 bureaus and offices to 602 as well as transitioning 137 offices “to another location within the Department to increase efficiency.”