The Trump administration is reviewing plans to close up to 27 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, including 10 embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Eritrea, The Gambia, Grenada, and Maldives, and 17 consulates, such as five in France, two in Germany, and one in South Korea, according to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN on April 15, 2025.
The proposal, part of a broader effort to cut federal spending by nearly 50% at the State Department, also suggests reducing diplomatic presence in Somalia and Iraq. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to confirm the document’s details, directing inquiries to the White House, which is finalizing its 2026 budget.
The plan, linked to the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency, aims to transfer closed embassies’ duties to nearby countries, raising concerns about ceding diplomatic influence to China, particularly in Africa, where six closures are proposed.
Only Malta and Luxembourg have announced ambassadorial nominees, per CNN. Critics, including former diplomat Brett Bruen, warn that slashing 48% of the State Department’s $54.4 billion budget could weaken counterterrorism and intelligence efforts. No final decision has been confirmed as of April 17, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s approval pending.