Saturday, March 29, 2025
Washington, Sept 22, 2025 – A new Politico report has raised sharp questions about President Donald Trump’s handling of U.S. foreign policy during his second term. Interviews with more than a dozen current and former State Department officials reveal a deep crisis inside American diplomacy, with more than half of ambassadorial posts still vacant eight months into Trump’s new administration.
Sources told Politico that many diplomats have been sidelined or silenced, as they fear reprisals under new “loyalty tests.” Speaking on condition of anonymity, one senior official said:
“Diplomats are being instructed not to challenge the administration’s partisan policies. Transparency in American foreign policy has collapsed.”
According to critics, over 60 ambassador posts remain unfilled, leaving U.S. diplomatic efforts severely handicapped. Many top positions are occupied by temporary appointees with little foreign policy experience.
The Trump administration has defended sweeping cuts at the State Department as “efficiency reforms.” However, diplomats and former envoys argue these measures are damaging America’s international reputation and weakening its global influence. Some even describe the situation as “the end of American diplomacy.”
Former Ambassador Ronald Neumann warned that suppressing internal honesty could trap the U.S. in avoidable crises:
“Loyalty to decisions has always been a core principle. But if integrity is crushed, the administration risks blunders it could otherwise prevent.”
Morale among career diplomats is at a low point. Many say they feel powerless, reduced to mere implementers rather than contributors to policy. Thousands of staff have already left, and offices have been shuttered.
“Even if political appointees ignore our advice, the legal and practical fallout of flawed orders still lands on us,” one diplomat said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has promised reforms to make the State Department central to foreign policy once again. His spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, insisted the department remains “active but with new priorities” – focusing less on human rights and humanitarian aid, and more on stricter immigration controls and promoting U.S. business interests abroad.
He also issued a stern warning:
“We will not tolerate misuse of any office that undermines the objectives of the duly elected president.”
While some officials support Rubio’s restructuring, others fear Trump’s approach is alienating allies and eroding long-standing diplomatic traditions. The unease reflects a growing belief that America’s role as a global leader is being weakened from within.
