State Dept Refuses to Rescind 250 Foreign Service Layoffs Despite Shutdown Deal

The State Department refused to rescind reduction-in-force notices for nearly 250 Foreign Service officers and approximately 30 civil service employees, despite the Trump administration initially telling plaintiffs it would rescind the RIFs. A federal district court judge ruled in January that the layoffs fell outside layoff protections in the shutdown-ending deal. The separations were ultimately finalized in May 2026. Secretary Rubio oversaw the workforce contraction.