State Department Reportedly Looking Into Closure of Almost 30 Embassies, Consulates

The Trump administration is reportedly exploring the possible closure of nearly 30 diplomatic missions worldwide as part of an ambitious plan to slash the State Department’s budget by $26 billion, almost halving the agency’s current funding.

Key Takeaways

The State Department is considering closing approximately 30 embassies and consulates globally, including locations in Europe, Asia, and Africa, according to memos obtained by news outlets.
The proposed budget cut aims to reduce spending by $26 billion, representing nearly a 50% reduction in the department’s budget.
The reported proposal includes cutting diplomatic engagement by $4.5 billion and terminating $21.5 billion in foreign assistance programs.
Potential consolidations would affect multiple consulates in countries like Japan, Canada, France, and Germany.
No final decisions have been made, with the White House ultimately responsible for the official budget request to Congress.

Proposed Embassy and Consulate Closures

Documents obtained by multiple news outlets reveal that the State Department is evaluating the closure of 17 consulates and 10 embassies worldwide. The targeted consulates would include five in France, two in Germany, one in Edinburgh, Scotland, and one in Florence, Italy. Embassy closures would affect diplomatic missions in Eritrea, Luxembourg, Malta, the Maldives, and several African nations.

The proposal suggests consolidating diplomatic outposts in countries with multiple consulates, such as Japan and Canada. Criteria for selection include feedback from regional bureaus, consular workload assessment, operational costs, facility conditions, and security ratings. The plan would shift responsibilities to nearby embassies, potentially affecting American citizens living abroad and foreign nationals seeking services.

Budget Reduction Strategy

The budget restructuring proposal reportedly divides cuts into two main categories: a $4.5 billion reduction in diplomatic engagement and the termination of $21.5 billion in foreign assistance programs. The Office of Management and Budget has reportedly recommended $28.4 billion for agency operations, with $20.4 billion in rescissions of previously allocated funds. The proposal suggests eliminating funding for certain United Nations programs and NATO while cutting humanitarian and global health initiatives by 50%.

“The president has made it clear that he is committed to cutting the federal deficit and improving the return on investment for the American people,” stated a State Department spokesperson.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already begun implementing budget trimming measures, canceling 138 grants worth $214 million. The proposal also includes creating an “America First Opportunities Fund” for fiscal year 2026 with $2.1 billion earmarked for strategic priorities aligned with the administration’s foreign policy goals.

Significant diplomatic posts in Iraq, including the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, are targeted for potential closure or expenditure reduction. Some former officials express concern about reductions in Erbil, which could impact vulnerable populations in the region. One former US Agency for International Development official said, “Reductions to the footprint in Iraq are a long time coming but ‘drastic’ measures at Erbil could truly jeopardize the lives of countless Christians and Yazidis.”

Some Democrats, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen, have voiced opposition to the potential cuts, arguing they could leave the United States vulnerable and create opportunities for adversaries like China and Russia to expand their global influence.

Official Statements and Timeline

Despite the detailed planning documents, the State Department emphasized that no final decisions have been made. “No embassy or consulate closures have been announced, and operations continue as normal. The State Department continues to assess our global programs and posture to ensure we are best positioned to address modern challenges on behalf of the American people,” a spokesperson said.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce suggested that some reports might be based on preliminary or inaccurate information, stating there are “kinds of numbers and what we tend to see is reporting that is early or wrong, based on leaked documents from somewhere unknown.” The administration is expected to finalize its budget proposal before officially submitting it to Congress for consideration in the coming months.