The US is considering a sweeping reduction in the its diplomatic footprint, with nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates facing potential closure, according to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN.
According to reports, the document, prepared by the State Department’s Under Secretary for Management, outlines a proposal to shut down 10 embassies and 17 consulates across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Among the embassies listed for closure are those in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan. The consulates affected include five in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one each in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea.
The proposed plan also recommends reducing the US diplomatic presence in key counterterrorism hotspots such as Somalia and Iraq, and resizing other missions, including those in Japan and Canada, by consolidating support into specialized units based at larger posts. It also advocates for a leaner model of diplomacy through “FLEX-style” light-footprint posts with minimal staffing and limited scope, and dual-hatted leadership in multilateral missions like those to the OECD and UNESCO in Paris.
These recommendations come amid broader efforts to streamline the federal government, reportedly driven by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency. It remains unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the closures.
A State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, declined to confirm or comment on the internal recommendations.
“I would suggest that you check with the White House and the President of the United States as they continue to work on their budget plan and what they submit to Congress,” Bruce said. “What we tend to see is early or inaccurate reporting based on leaked documents from unknown sources.”
So far, the administration has nominated ambassadors for only two of the embassies proposed for closure — Malta and Luxembourg.
CNN previously reported in March that closures of some of the consulates listed in the document were already under consideration.
Embassies and consulates are crucial for providing visa services, assisting US citizens abroad, gathering regional intelligence, and maintaining diplomatic engagement, particularly in competition with global rivals like China. Though many consulates operate with small staff, officials argue they play a vital role in maintaining US influence.
The internal document states that the evaluation process for potential closures considered factors such as regional bureau feedback, consular workload, cost per US direct hire, facility conditions, and security ratings. The document suggests that any closed posts would have their responsibilities absorbed by nearby missions.
