A senior State Department official told CNN that the restructuring was necessary to maintain the agency’s efficiency and relevance, noting that the current organizational structure is overly large and has become a hindrance to both policy execution and departmental operations.

The official added that while the changes would not result in immediate layoffs, they do signal a significant workforce reduction. Under the proposed reorganization, around 700 positions in the Washington office are expected to be cut.

CNN also reported, citing internal department documents, that each undersecretary would be required to submit plans to reduce domestic staff by 15% to align with President Donald Trump’s broader initiative to streamline the federal workforce.

A memo from Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau sent to staff on Tuesday stated that undersecretaries would have 30 days to draft their downsizing plans, with implementation expected by July 1.

The upcoming changes will see the number of U.S. State Department offices reduced from 734 to 602—a 22% decrease. An additional 137 offices will be relocated within other divisions of the department in an effort to improve operational efficiency. However, no U.S. embassies, consulates, or overseas offices will be closed at this time.

Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and tasked with overseeing federal cost-cutting measures, “had no involvement in this restructuring.”

https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign/2854361