Trump recalls dozens of career diplomats in America First' push

"The State Department declined to provide a list of the diplomats being recalled, but a senior official told the Reuters news agency on Monday that the move was a standard process in any administration, claiming that an ambassador should be considered a personal representative of the president. It is the president's right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity."

"People familiar with the matter told Reuters that nearly 30 senior diplomats posted to smaller countries where the top US representative has traditionally been drawn from the apolitical Foreign Service were among those ordered back to Washington. The Associated Press news agency quoted two anonymous State Department officials as saying that senior diplomats from at least 29 countries began to receive notice on Wednesday about their imminent departures."

Dozens of career ambassadors and senior diplomats are being recalled to align embassies with President Donald Trump's America First priorities. The State Department declined to provide a list, while a senior official characterized the move as a standard administrative process and called ambassadors personal representatives of the president. Nearly 30 senior diplomats serving in smaller countries were among those ordered back. The American Foreign Service Association reported credible notifications that multiple career ambassadors appointed during the Biden administration were ordered by phone to leave by January 15–16 without explanation. Critics warn the recalls risk politicizing the Foreign Service and damaging U.S. credibility and morale.

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