The changes would amount to a historic restructuring of the storied department whose work and scope has expanded over the decades to include a variety of efforts to bolster American influence abroad, ranging from helping countries defend their critical networks from hackers to advocating for people with disabilities.
Pres. Trump Reportedly Planning Major State Dept. Shakeup
IFA Staff
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March 1, 2025
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Pres. Trump Reportedly Planning Major State Dept. Shakeup
IFA Staff
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March 1, 2025
6,200 Views
Comments (16)
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Lord, we ask You to give President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and all in authority wisdom as they reform the State Department. Let them act in accordance with Your will for this nation.
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A recent report from POLITICO, titled “Trump wants to shrink the State Department’s size, reach and focus,” revealed that President Trump plans to significantly shrink the State Department, cutting staff, embassies, and bureaus.
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From POLITICO:
The Trump administration, fueled by Elon Musk and his acolytes, appears determined to focus the department on areas such as transactional government agreements, safeguarding U.S. security and promoting foreign investment in America. That means cutting back or eliminating bureaus promoting traditional soft power initiatives — such as those advancing democracy, protecting human rights, supporting scientific research or generally fostering goodwill abroad.
Some of these ideas have been telegraphed in public orders and statements from Trump and others. Additional details about the strategy and what will be cut were described to POLITICO by a person familiar with internal State Department discussions and a former U.S. official with ties to the Trump team. POLITICO also reviewed private documents that provide insight into the plans, which remain fluid. Several people were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive issues.
One key to this plan will be cutting embassies. POLITICO reports that Secretary of State Maroc Rubio “is on board with cutting a significant number” of embassies, according to someone “familiar with the internal discussions.” To that end, the State Department is asking other departments and agencies to rank U.S. embassies by importance, aiming to identify those that can be cut.
The State Department Executive Secretariat has asked the Defense Department, the CIA, the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security, among others, to rank U.S. embassies in order of importance to their work, according to a State Department official who has seen the request. That official and a second State official said the Pentagon has tasked combatant commands around the world to report back with their respective lists.
The first official said the departments and agencies were to score embassies on a zero to 10 scale (10 being the most important). A quarter of the embassies in each region must be given scores between zero and two; a quarter must score from three to five; and half can receive scores from six to 10, the person said. The criteria to be considered include the department or agency’s overall budget devoted to its presence at the embassy, including for facilities maintenance and the importance of the embassy in the agency or department’s policy priorities, the official said.
POLITICO also obtained a list of potential consulates that could be cut. The targets mentioned are in Rennes, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux in France; Dusseldorf, Leipzig, and Hamburg in Germany; Florence, Italy; Ponta Delgada, Portugal; and Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Supporters of this shakeup claim it will create a “more focused but still flexible Foreign Service.” It would also, of course, save money, a goal that the President and DOGE have been fixated on. Critics, however, fear these reforms could damage the nation in the long term, allowing communist China to expand its global influence and fill the gaps left by vanishing U.S. embassies.
Regardless, as changes are being made, it is important that we remain steadfast in prayer. Let’s pray that President Trump and Secretary Rubio act wisely and that they made decisions that honor God and bless America.
What do you think of President Trump’s plans for the State Department? Share your thoughts and prayers below.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem – https://www.flickr.com/photos/46886434@N04/54335441209/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160001893)
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Lord, we ask You to give President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and all in authority wisdom as they reform the State Department. Let them act in accordance with Your will for this nation.
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Father God, Believing the promises, many have prayed for this administration to help get us out of serious debt, critics -however many fear the reforms that President Trump and Secretary of State Marico Rubio could damage our America and this department in the Long Term. Many prayer warriors have been praying steadily since the moneys have not been used as they should have been or to eliminate bureaus promoting soft power initiatives. Politico obtained a list of potential Consulates that could be cut. God, we have prayed about all of the unnecessary monies that have been spent by the last administration that needs to be corrected -that has gotten America in serious deep debt, we have been praying for them to stop, most of the time they never waited for clearance from Congress. God our seeds were planted releasing our faith that the words of faith would be present as we Believed – Romans 4:16″ Therefore it is of faith, that might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed planted.” God I truly believe the will of God is known. Faith comes by praying and hearing God’s Word. God, help these people to understand the reason why President Trump wants to cut the money’s that has been spent possibly not under the will of God. Elon Musk (DODGE) has Proven the State Department needs to be reformed, to help cut the large amounts of money that has been spent. God, we know that we need to have these cuts to give us a great plan to save money we need to bring the money under control to Help American people and your law we are trying to follow. God, we know Your Hand is upon America and the people who have been in prayer. God, we know Romans 4:16 is based upon the promises of Your inheritance based upon faith, not on following the law. This verse is a description of God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants. Jesus, I do believe Faith begins where the will of God is known. God, we know these last few years has been a journey of Strong Faith that we realize our steps were following Your Steps. God, we pray, that these new beginnings of a new reform of the State Department as they use wisdom, and the planting of the seed is of the Word of God. Luke -8:11 ” – ” On good ground: People who hear the word, keep it, and bear fruit with patience” I pray that the many Nations will understand as the word of God comes forth through prayer and lean that the word of GOD is living and powerful. ” This word of God emphasizes a critical lesson humility and the nature of asking for help.” and thankfulness. I pray all of these decisions will honor God and Bless America.
Father God, Believing the promises, many have prayed for this administration to help get us out of serious debt, critics -however -fear the reforms that President Trump and Secretary of State Marico Rubio could damage our America and this department in the Long Term. Many prayer warriors have been praying steadily since the moneys have not been used as they should have been or to eliminate bureaus promoting soft power initiatives. Politico obtained a list of potential Consulates that could be cut. God, we have prayed about all of the unnecessary monies that have been spent by the last administration that needs to be corrected that has gotten America in serious deep debt, we have been praying for them to stop, most of the time they never waited for clearance from Congress. God our seeds were planted releasing our faith that the words of faith would present grace as we Believed – Romans 4:16″ Therefore it is of faith, that might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed.” God I truly believe the will of God is known. Faith comes by praying and hearing God’s Word. God, help these to understand the reason why President Trump wants to cut the money’s that has been spent possibly not under the will of God. Elon Musk (DODGE) has Proven the State Department needs to be reformed, to help cut the large amounts of money that has been spent. God, we know that we need to have these cuts to give us a great plan to save money we need to bring the money under control to Help American people and your law we are trying to follow. God, we know Your Hand is upon America and the people who have been in prayer. God, we know Romans 4:16 is based upon the promises of Your inheritance based upon faith, not on following the law. This verse is a description of God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants. Jesus, I do believe Faith begins where the will of God is known. God, we know these last few years has been a journey of Strong Faith that we realize our steps were following Your Steps. God, we pray, that these new beginnings of a new reform of the State Department as they use wisdom, and the planting of the seed is of the Word of God. Luke -8:11 ” – ” On good ground: People who hear the word, keep it, and bear fruit with patience” I pray that the many Nations will understand as the word of God comes forth through prayer and lean that the word of GOD is living and powerful. ” This word of God emphasizes a critical lesson humility and the nature of asking for help.” and thankfulness. I pray all of these decisions will honor God and Bless America.
Having lived in Europe for nearly 30 years, I note that eliminating the embassies in the cities named in France and Germany would not cause an insurmountable hurdle for our citizens living there. There are enough consulates/ embassies in the area to consolidate any essential tasks and produce a leaner organization.
I agree, CM. I can’t imagine the need for more than one embassy within a nation being necessary. Inconvenience doesn’t make access impossible.
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS BEEN GUILTY OF MANY INJUSTICES AND HES WASTED HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY. DGE IS NECESSARY TORESTORE HONESTY AND REGULATION TO AN AGENCE THAT’S BEEN OUTOF CONTROL FOR GENERATIONS. ENOUGH!!!
As cuts are made in the State Department and other government agencies, Lord, we ask you to go before clearly separating the sheep from the goats. Let only the goats and all wolves in sheep’s clothing be rooted out and laid off. Help the sheep who are left to hear and follow only your voice for the furtherance of your kingdom on earth!
I think it is very important to have an American Embassy in every country where American people are living/working/conducting international business/trading. Even vital! The world is currently in such a state of upheaval, it would be very wise to pause the decision to remove any and all embassies at this time. Remember Benghazi!
We all need to question the usefulness of maintaining and embassy presence in any country, friend and foe. So many branches of our government have teen placed on autopilot budgetary basis and it’s time to be accountable. We have been witnessing a downturn of friendliness from our European allies to the degree that many have become hostile and corrosive to both USA support as well as historical restorations. We stand with IFA in prayer for wisdome.
Personnel is likely on overload in each embassy.. Why not send someone in to determine how many people are needed to keep the embassy running smoothly. Cut back on unneeded staff. How many are near retirement?
If the Embassy is cut, it looks as if we are saying to the country or area where the embassy is that they are not important enough to deserve our presence. Public Relations is still important.
Cutting gives our enemies an opportunity to infiltrate and undermine.
The size and scope of the State Department is a direct reflection of the size and scope of the U.S. government. “Big is better.” This thinking exploded post-WWII, when America received the mantel of “policeman of the world.”
Reduction of embassies is a long overdue idea. Key embassies remain, of course, but is a full-fledged US Embassy required in small, obscure African nations, or in many South American nations?
Reduce. Eliminate. Save.
Cut, or eliminate, much of government.
State Department is long overdue for serious review. Sounds as if the writer of this article does not agree!
The State Department has long been more of a detriment to our nation, that it has been any help. Lord, please give Secretary Rubio great wisdom. May every decision honor You and Your will first, and also our nation.
Just like Britain’s Foreign Office, the US State Department has been very anti-Israel even from before it was created in 1948.
Just think of Anthony Blinken – one of the worst Secretaries of State towards Israel ever – as he constantly condemned us and warned us and held back from fully supporting Israel while it warred a seven front war that was existential.
Therefore, this is great news for God’s nation and if it can rein in the State from cursing Israel – for America as well.
Numbers 24:9b
Dear Mr. Cohen,
I am very sorry if what you claim about the British Foreign Office is true. As an Englishwoman, I love the Jewish people, so as is so often the case it seems, governments of the world don’t accurately represent the views of their people.
You’re correct, Mari! The Biden administration certainly did not represent my views. I think most of us realize that leaders in the nations often do not reflect the value systems and beliefs of their people. I know that there are many in the UK who share your love for Israel.