Rubio emphasized the necessity for a more agile and responsive diplomatic service to tackle the challenges of the 21st century, aligning the department more closely with President Trump's vision.

This announcement coincides with a proposed budget cut of nearly 50% for the State Department, which is still in preliminary stages and faces scrutiny from Congress.

The proposed changes aim to address inefficiencies and modernize the department's operations, with undersecretaries tasked to develop implementation plans by July 1, 2025.

Critics, including Democrats and humanitarian organizations, argue that the overhaul undermines U.S. global leadership and humanitarian efforts, potentially leading to instability.

Republican leaders have expressed support for Rubio's vision, while Democrats have criticized the plan as detrimental to U.S. foreign policy effectiveness.

As part of the restructuring, offices focused on human rights and justice are expected to be reduced or moved, while a new office will coordinate foreign and humanitarian affairs.

Overall, the reorganization is seen as less drastic than earlier rumored plans, which were denied by senior officials, yet it still raises concerns about the future of U.S. diplomatic efforts.

The reorganization plan includes reducing the number of bureaus from 734 to 602 and relocating 137 offices to enhance operational efficiency.

Despite the anticipated layoffs, State Department officials clarified that these changes will not lead to immediate job losses, describing the initiative as a 'roadmap' rather than an immediate execution of cuts.

On April 22, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a significant reorganization of the State Department, aiming to reduce staff by 15% and consolidate over 100 bureaus globally.

The State Department currently employs approximately 80,000 people, with 50,000 stationed abroad, including a mix of diplomats and staff in Washington.

Rubio has criticized certain offices for misallocating taxpayer funds and has indicated that the restructuring reflects a broader push to reduce federal government size and reimagine U.S. foreign policy.