Trump Plans State Department Overhaul, Shutting Down Africa Operations

A leaked draft executive order from the Trump administration proposes sweeping changes to the State Department, including eliminating most Africa operations, closing embassies and consulates across sub-Saharan Africa, and dissolving the Bureau of African Affairs. The order would also shut down offices focused on democracy, human rights, refugees, climate change, and public diplomacy, consolidating remaining responsibilities under new structures and replacing career diplomats with political loyalists aligned with the president's agenda. Traditional regional bureaus would be replaced by four large 'corps,' and the foreign service entrance exam would be scrapped in favor of new hiring criteria. The draft claims to aim for a 'disciplined reorganization' to cut waste, but critics argue it would drastically reduce U.S. diplomatic engagement and expertise, shifting focus to counterterrorism and resource extraction. While some officials confirm that such proposals are circulating, it's unclear whether the plan will be finalized or signed, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly dismissed the reports as 'fake news.' Congress would need to be notified of mass closures, and legal challenges are expected if the plan proceeds.