The Trump administration is reportedly considering closing nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, according to an internal document from the U.S. Department of State, obtained by CNN.
The document outlines recommendations for closing embassies in countries including Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. The proposed closure list also includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one each in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea.
Additionally, the recommendation suggests reducing the U.S. diplomatic presence in Somalia and Iraq, two key countries for U.S. anti-terrorism efforts, as well as restructuring other diplomatic missions.
It remains unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved these proposed closures.
These potential changes are part of a broader diplomatic overhaul as the administration, driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), backed by Elon Musk, seeks to reduce the size of the federal government.
The U.S. embassies and consulates play a critical role in visa processing, providing assistance to American citizens abroad, and gathering intelligence. U.S. officials emphasize that these missions are vital tools in countering the influence of countries like China. However, many consulates have small staffs and may be deemed less essential under the proposed changes.
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