US plans to close European consulates and cut State Department workforce
Summary
The State Department plans to close several consulates in Western Europe and reduce its global workforce by at least 10%, while potentially merging expert bureaus at its Washington headquarters.
Consulates in Germany, France, Italy, and Turkey's Gaziantep are under consideration for closure.
These cuts, part of Trump and Musk’s efforts to gut federal agencies, are claimed to align the bureaucracy with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Critics warn these reductions, along with dismantling USAID, risk undermining American leadership globally and creating opportunities for China and Russia to expand influence.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/us-european-consulates-state-departmentOpen linkView original on lemmy.world
13 replies
Just letting go of all that soft power and goodwill built up over the decades eh? I honestly can't believe he can just bulldoze the entire world order so easily with zero resistance its pretty fucked. Oh well, this is what america voted for, you guys earned it. Hopefully the rest of the world can adapt and work together in a world with a hostile US.
As an American, it’s a shame we’re giving up a position of leadership of the free world. I do think the world will be better off if other nations step in. We’re actually a pretty shitty country and it’s a fluke of history we didn’t take a turn to fascism a long time ago.
Or did we?
You’re not wrong
And 40+% deciding it didn't matter who won. Their choice led to this just as much as that 22%.
Bye America.
I gather Trump is cutting costs and plunging the economy to close up shop. So good luck with your individual states, the loose federations, and the Robber Billionaires.
Thanks, we're gonna need it! Peace out! ✌️
more than half of us are terrifiedI think at this point luck is all we can count on.
One of the consultates they're planning on closing in France is the one in Strasburg. You know, the second seat of the EU parliament after Brussels
On purpose.
Don't they use the consulates unofficially for clandestine stuff?
That would impact US national security.
Another day. Another step closer to America becoming North Korea.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!