Washington, DC:
The Trump administration has ordered the removal of dozens of senior career diplomats from overseas ambassadorial posts, triggering strong criticism from former diplomats and raising concerns about the future of US diplomacy.
According to multiple sources, at least two dozen career ambassadors have been notified that they must leave their posts by mid-January. While ambassadors officially serve at the pleasure of the president, critics say the scale and timing of these recalls are highly unusual and unprecedented.
Who Is Being Recalled — and Why It Matters
The diplomats affected are career Foreign Service officers, not political appointees. Many have spent decades serving under Republican and Democratic administrations alike. Although they were appointed as ambassadors during the Biden administration, they are professional diplomats rather than partisan figures.
Traditionally, career ambassadors remain in place until their successors are confirmed by the US Senate, ensuring continuity in diplomatic relations. Former officials say breaking from this practice risks leaving more than half of US embassies worldwide without Senate-confirmed ambassadors.
Administration Defends the Decision
A senior State Department official described the recalls as “a standard process”, emphasizing that ambassadors represent the president personally.
“An ambassador is a personal representative of the President, and it is the President’s right to ensure that individuals in these roles advance the America First agenda,” the official said.
The department did not disclose the total number of diplomats recalled or the countries affected. Politico first reported the story.
Former Diplomats Call the Move Unprecedented
Former ambassadors and diplomatic leaders strongly disagree with the administration’s characterization.
“This has never happened in the 101-year history of the US Foreign Service,” said Eric Rubin, a retired career diplomat and former president of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA).
Rubin warned that the decision could significantly weaken US influence abroad, particularly as rivals like China expand their diplomatic footprint.
“Dismissing these ambassadors is a serious insult to our partner countries and a huge strategic gift to China,” he said.
Risk of Forced Retirements
While the diplomats are not being fired outright, Foreign Service rules give them only a short window to secure new assignments. If they cannot, they will be forced to retire, potentially stripping the State Department of some of its most experienced leadership.
Most of the affected ambassadors are stationed in Africa, though recalls also impact posts in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Western Hemisphere, according to sources.
Diplomatic Union Raises Alarm
AFSA, the union representing US Foreign Service officers, confirmed receiving credible reports of the recalls and said no explanations were provided to the affected diplomats.
“To remove senior diplomats without cause or justification sends a dangerous message,” AFSA said in a statement.
“It tells our allies that America’s commitments may shift with political winds, and it tells public servants that experience and loyalty to the Constitution are no longer enough.”
Part of a Broader State Department Overhaul
The ambassador recalls are part of a larger restructuring of the State Department under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aimed at aligning US diplomacy with President Trump’s “America First” priorities.
Earlier this year, more than 1,300 State Department employees, including over 240 Foreign Service officers, lost their jobs as part of the overhaul. The administration has shifted focus toward reducing immigration and promoting its global worldview, while placing less emphasis on human rights advocacy.
Morale at Historic Lows
A recent AFSA report paints a grim picture of morale within the diplomatic corps. Based on a survey of Foreign Service members:
- 98% said morale has declined since January
- One-third are considering leaving the service early
- 25% of the Foreign Service workforce has already resigned, retired, or been removed this year
AFSA warned that the changes have left diplomats demoralized and less effective at representing US interests abroad.
Rubio Pushes Back
Secretary Rubio has dismissed concerns raised by the report, arguing that diplomats are now more empowered at the regional level.
“We are changing this place so that missions in the field drive ideas from the bottom up,” Rubio said at a recent press conference. “That will pay dividends long after I’m gone.”
What Comes Next
As recalled ambassadors prepare to leave their posts, uncertainty remains over how quickly replacements can be nominated and confirmed. Until then, many US embassies may operate without confirmed ambassadors—an outcome former diplomats warn could weaken American leadership on the global stage.
