State Department Begins Layoffs

WASHINGTON–Layoffs are starting at the State Department. About 1,300 employees are expected to be laid off as part of the reorganization plans.

Employees were notified about the reduction in force Thursday and were told to report to work with government-issued equipment.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the layoffs are “a very deliberate step to reorganize the State Department to be more efficient and more focused.” Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee criticized the layoffs, saying in a statement, “Now is the time to strengthen our diplomatic hand, not weaken it.”