Trump Administration Weighs Closure of Nearly 30 U.S. Embassies and Consulates

The Trump administration is considering a sweeping reduction of America’s diplomatic presence abroad, with internal State Department documents revealing plans to close 10 embassies and 17 consulates across multiple continents.

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The proposal, which has not yet received final approval from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of a broader effort to dramatically downsize the federal government and reduce spending, a campaign championed by the Department of Government Efficiency and supported by Elon Musk.

The embassies slated for possible closure span Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, including posts in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan. The list of consulates targeted for shutdown covers five in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and additional facilities in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea, among others.

The administration is also considering downsizing or consolidating missions in key countries such as Somalia and Iraq, both of which play significant roles in U.S. counterterrorism strategy.

According to the internal documents, the closures and reductions are being considered based on a range of factors, including consular workload, cost per U.S. direct hire, facility condition, security ratings, and input from regional bureaus.

The documents also propose that the responsibilities of closed embassies and consulates would be absorbed by nearby U.S. diplomatic missions, and suggest new models for “light footprint” posts with limited staff and focus in certain countries.

The proposed overhaul comes as the Trump administration seeks to cut the State Department’s budget by as much as 50%, with reductions potentially totaling nearly $30 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. If enacted, these cuts would not only shutter diplomatic posts but also reduce U.S. funding for global organizations and international programs, raising concerns among foreign policy experts about the potential loss of American influence—especially in regions where Washington currently holds an advantage over strategic rivals like China.

Critics warn that the closures could undermine U.S. national security, disrupt intelligence gathering, and leave American citizens abroad with fewer resources in times of crisis. Embassies and consulates provide essential services such as visa processing, emergency assistance, and information collection for policymakers in Washington. Former officials have also expressed concern about the impact of downsizing in volatile regions like Iraq and Somalia, where U.S. diplomatic missions support critical counterterrorism operations and humanitarian efforts.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the internal proposal, stating only that “no embassy or consulate closures have been announced, and operations continue as normal.” The spokesperson added that the department is continually reviewing its global presence to ensure it can address modern challenges on behalf of the American people.

The Trump administration has so far nominated ambassadors for only two embassies on the closure list—Malta and Luxembourg—underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the future of these diplomatic posts