President Donald Trump has begun clearing out senior diplomatic posts overseas, with nearly 30 ambassadors and embassy leaders being recalled as his administration doubles down on an “America First” approach.
According to two State Department officials, the diplomats were informed last week that their assignments will end in January. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss internal personnel decisions.
Most of the diplomats affected were appointed during the Biden administration. While they initially remained in place after Trump returned to office, that situation has now changed.
This time, the focus appears to be on ensuring the president’s representatives abroad fully support his agenda.
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Importantly, the diplomats are not losing their jobs. Officials said they are being recalled from their overseas posts and may return to Washington for new assignments if they choose.
Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president. While they often remain in their roles for three to four years, there is no guarantee of a full term.
The State Department declined to confirm how many diplomats are involved or which countries are affected. Still, it defended the decision.
In a statement, the department said the changes are “a standard process in any administration.” It added that an ambassador is “a personal representative of the president and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.”
The impact of the shake-up is being felt across multiple regions.
Africa is the most affected continent. Ambassadors from 13 African countries are being recalled, including Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, and Niger.
Asia follows next, with six countries seeing ambassadorial changes. These include the Philippines, Vietnam, Fiji, Laos, and Papua New Guinea.
Europe is also on the list. Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia are among the countries losing their current U.S. ambassadors.
Smaller numbers of recalls are happening in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere as well.
In total, chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries have been notified.
The report was first published by Politico. Since then, the move has drawn concern from some lawmakers and from the union representing American diplomats.
That reaction was not unexpected.
Trump has long criticized what he calls an entrenched bureaucracy inside the State Department. He has often said that American diplomats should closely reflect his views when representing the United States overseas.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
