US State Department to close its Gaziantep branch, among others: Report

The Trump administration is preparing to close nearly a dozen U.S. diplomatic missions, including the one in Gaziantep, Türkiye, as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative, U.S. officials confirmed Thursday, according to Reuters.

State Department to reduce diplomatic footprint

The State Department is assessing the closure of diplomatic missions in Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, and Portugal, alongside Gaziantep, Türkiye, a hub for U.S. humanitarian efforts in northern Syria.

Congress was notified Monday about the potential closures.

“The State Department continues to assess our global posture to ensure we are best positioned to address modern challenges on behalf of the American people,” a spokesperson said.

Workforce reductions and bureau mergers

The administration is also considering merging expert bureaus in human rights, refugees, and global justice, while directing embassies worldwide to cut staff by at least 10%.

Dozens of contractors in democracy and human rights offices have already been terminated.

Foreign policy shift raises concerns

Trump‘s executive order aims to streamline the foreign service and align it with his “America First” agenda. Critics warn the cuts could undermine U.S. influence, creating opportunities for China and Russia to expand their presence.

“Some of these closures offer minimal savings,” an official noted. “It fits with the theme of performative, arbitrary cuts.”