Rubio Announces Sweeping Reorganization of State Department | The Epoch Times

Rubio's State Department Restructuring Plan

Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a plan to significantly reorganize the Department of State, citing concerns about inefficiency and bloat. The plan involves eliminating several departments and consolidating others. A key target is the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Human Rights, and Democracy, which Rubio criticized for alleged left-wing bias and funding of mass migration.

Key Changes and Criticisms

Rubio's plan includes:

• Reorganization of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
• Consolidation of non-security foreign assistance into regional bureaus.
• Elimination of redundant offices and non-statutory programs.
• Reduction of staffing by 15 percent across Undersecretaries' departments.
• Closure of 132 offices, including those focused on counter-extremism and promoting democracy overseas.

The plan has drawn criticism for its alleged targeting of specific bureaus and potential impact on foreign aid and human rights initiatives. Rubio defended the changes as necessary to streamline the department and align it with core national interests.

USAID and DOGE

The plan also involves transferring USAID's duties to offices within the State Department, effectively undoing the work of the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which had been downsizing USAID. A court ruling allows DOGE to continue its downsizing efforts.

Additional Information

The State Department has yet to comment publicly on Rubio's plan. The plan's implementation and the resulting impact on diplomatic relations and foreign policy remain to be seen.