Is the Trump Administration Planning Major Cuts to the State Department Budget?

Proposed Budget Cuts Raise Concerns

In Washington, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has put forth a proposal to significantly reduce the State Department's budget by nearly 50%. This plan includes closing several diplomatic missions abroad, cutting down on diplomatic personnel, and eliminating funding for most international organizations, such as the United Nations and NATO, according to officials.

This proposal, which was shared with the State Department last week, is still in its early stages and is unlikely to gain approval from the department's leadership or Congress, which will ultimately vote on the federal budget in the upcoming months.

Sources familiar with the proposal indicate that it will undergo multiple reviews before reaching lawmakers, who have historically modified or rejected budget requests from the White House. While still preliminary, this proposal reflects the Trump administration's priorities and aligns with significant job and funding reductions across various federal agencies, including Health and Human Services and the Education Department.

Internal notes regarding the proposal have circulated among foreign service officers since the weekend, gaining traction on Monday when the State Department was set to present an unrelated reorganization plan to the OMB.

A senior official familiar with the OMB's proposal described it as 'aggressive' in terms of budget cuts, but emphasized that it is merely a draft that echoes the intentions of OMB chief Russell Vought during Trump's first term. This official requested anonymity to discuss internal matters.

An OMB spokesperson, Alexandra McCandless, stated that 'no final funding decisions have been made.'

Previous attempts to drastically cut the State Department's budget during Trump's first term faced strong opposition in Congress and were largely unsuccessful.

However, the current administration has quickly moved to reduce the size of the federal government, cutting jobs and funding across various agencies. It has already dismantled USAID and sought to defund other 'soft power' institutions critical to foreign policy, including the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.

As a result, officials within the State Department and other agencies are increasingly worried that these proposed cuts could indeed be enacted.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed her deep concern regarding the proposed reductions. She stated, 'When America First turns into America Alone, our economy, security, and prosperity will be at risk as adversaries take advantage of the void left by the Trump Administration. Investments in diplomatic initiatives that foster peace and stability, as well as advance American national security interests, are essential priorities that should be reflected in the State Department's budget request.'