Reference News Network, July 13 report. According to the Associated Press, on July 11, the U.S. State Department fired more than 1,300 employees to comply with the Trump administration's large-scale restructuring plan. Critics say this plan will harm America's global leadership and efforts to address overseas threats.

A senior official at the State Department, who did not want to be named publicly, said that the department had issued layoff notices to 1,107 civilian employees and 246 diplomatic officers serving in the United States.

According to a copy obtained by our reporter, the notice stated that these positions were "eliminated," and the affected employees would no longer be able to enter the State Department headquarters in Washington starting at 5 p.m. on the same day, nor would they have access to their email accounts.

While the laid-off employees were packing up their personal belongings, dozens of former colleagues, ambassadors, and members of Congress held a day-long protest in the hot outdoor weather. They held signs reading "Thank You, American Diplomats" and "We All Deserve Better Treatment," lamenting the loss to the institution and emphasizing the personal sacrifices made by those serving in the foreign service.

According to an internal notice obtained by our reporter, the affected diplomatic officers would immediately begin a 120-day administrative leave, after which they would officially lose their jobs. Most of the laid-off civilian employees would be given a 60-day administrative leave.

Outside and inside the State Department building, staff spent over an hour applauding their departing colleagues, who received additional support from protesters and people gathered across the street—sometimes even hugs.

As speakers addressed the crowd through loudspeakers, people behind them held signs reading "Democracy," "Human Rights," and "Diplomacy."

Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat representing New Jersey, previously served as a civilian advisor for the State Department in Afghanistan during the Obama administration. He said, "It's heartbreaking to see everyone crying as they walk out of the door now, because all they wanted to do was serve this country."

Robert Blake, who served as an ambassador abroad during the Bush and Obama administrations, said he came to support his colleagues at a very "unfair moment."

Blake said, "I have many friends who were very loyal and performed well, and they were fired for reasons unrelated to their performance."

Gordon Duggan, a veteran of the foreign service who has worked for 31 years, said regarding the Trump administration: "They are not looking for people with expertise... they just want people who obey. That is the root of the disaster."

The American Foreign Service Association, which represents American diplomats, opposed the layoffs at a time when the world is extremely unstable.

The association said in a statement: "Losing more diplomatic expertise at this critical global moment is a catastrophic blow to our national interests. These layoffs have nothing to do with performance or mission."

As the layoffs began, paper signs started appearing throughout the State Department. One read: "Colleagues, if you stay, please resist fascism."

A laid-off employee said that about a week ago, when the Supreme Court approved the layoffs, she printed these signs. Because of concerns about retaliation, the employee was interviewed under anonymity.

She and a dozen colleagues put up these signs. They focused on restrooms without surveillance cameras, but other signs were placed in more public areas.

She said, "Everyone doesn't want to let these people off easily."

The State Department plans to eliminate some departments responsible for overseeing the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, including an office dedicated to resettling Afghan nationals who fought alongside U.S. forces.

Jessica Bradley Rashing worked in the Office of Coordination for the Resettlement of Afghan Citizens. She said that after starting her administrative leave in March, she received a layoff notice on the 11th, which shocked her.

She said that all members of her team received the notice. "I didn't expect to face such risks, especially since I was already on administrative leave," she said.

The State Department said this reorganization will affect more than 300 offices and bureaus, as it will eliminate departments that it claims have unclear or overlapping functions. (Translated by Ge Xuele)

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