The U.S. State Department is preparing for sweeping layoffs following a Supreme Court decision that lifted a legal barrier blocking the Trump administration’s reorganization plan.
According to a report from Semafor, “reduction in force” notices could begin as early as this week, with thousands of jobs potentially on the line.
The administration’s plan, spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calls for eliminating approximately 15 percent of the State Department’s domestic workforce.
That figure translates to an estimated 3,400 positions.
The blueprint submitted to Congress also includes consolidating several offices and closing others, all part of a broader government-wide effort to trim bureaucracy and improve efficiency.
In preparation for the ruling, the department had already begun administrative steps to facilitate the transition.
Civil service employees were asked to submit updated resumes and the agency’s Foreign Affairs Manual was revised to align with the restructuring goals.
These moves signaled that leadership had been anticipating the court’s decision for weeks.
While the department is now legally clear to proceed, the Supreme Court ruling does not address the specific merits or scope of the reorganization.
That leaves the door open for affected employees or unions to bring forward additional legal challenges in lower