Nearly 30 US diplomatic missions could be closed.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to cut the State Department's budget by nearly half. This plan could lead to the closure of nearly 30 U.S. diplomatic missions and significant cuts to foreign aid.
Accordingly, the Trump administration proposed cutting nearly $30 billion in fiscal year 2026. This was stated in a document called "Passback"—the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) response to the State Department's budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025.
The State Department may propose adjustments, but according to a U.S. official, the final version is likely to have only "minimal" changes before being submitted to both houses for approval. The official also indicated a "high probability" that Congress will reinstate some of the budget cuts.
According to Reuters, based on a separate memorandum, the Trump administration is considering closing at least 27 U.S. diplomatic missions – primarily in Africa and Europe. Of these, 10 are embassies, and the rest are consulates.
The State Department, the White House, and the OMB have not responded to requests for comment on this plan.
These considerations are taking place against the backdrop of the Trump administration, along with the Department of Government Efficiency led by billionaire Elon Musk, pushing for a reduction in the size of the federal government. The goal is to drastically cut budget spending and streamline the bureaucracy, including eliminating thousands of jobs.
During his first term, President Trump proposed cutting about one-third of the budget for diplomacy and international aid. However, Congress—the body that decides on the federal budget—rejected this proposal.
According to Reuters, the "passback" summary also outlines a proposed budget for the State Department in fiscal year 2026 of $28.4 billion, a significant reduction from the current year's $54.4 billion.
At the same time, foreign aid administered by the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will also be cut, from $38.3 billion to $16.9 billion.
The document also requires that all budget adjustment proposals be submitted before 12 noon on April 15th.
According to the plan, the administration will dissolve USAID, merge some of its functions into the State Department, and terminate programs deemed redundant or no longer aligned with government priorities. The dissolution of USAID began in February of this year, with more than 5,000 programs terminated, hundreds of contractors laid off, and thousands of employees receiving termination notices.
The document also states that existing large-scale humanitarian aid and refugee assistance programs will be eliminated. Instead, two new programs will be established: a $2.5 billion international humanitarian assistance program and a $1.5 billion presidential emergency program for refugees and migrants.
According to the document, these new programs will focus on “urgent and emerging crises, both domestic and international,” and are designed to “put the interests of American citizens first.”
