Washington (KAAB TV) – The U.S. government is planning to close approximately 30 embassies and consulates around the world, according to documents obtained by CNN and prepared by the Department of State.
The report reveals a significant reduction in the scale and scope of American diplomatic missions, including plans to downsize embassies in Somalia and Iraq. These two countries are key locations for U.S. counter-terrorism operations. Rather than full closures, the embassies there will be reduced to smaller offices with limited functions.
This initiative is reportedly part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reduce government spending. Leading the push is a newly established department tasked with streamlining government operations, headed by Elon Musk.
“The document proposes the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates,” CNN reported. “Many are located in Europe and Africa, but others are in Asia and the Caribbean. Notable among them are the embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.”
According to a recent article by The New York Times, a debate is underway within the White House over the future of the U.S. Embassy in Somalia. Some officials argue for a full withdrawal, suggesting that Somalia is no longer a strategic priority. However, President Trump later clarified that the U.S. will maintain its support for Somalia in its ongoing fight against terrorism. American forces remain present in the country, aiding Somali government troops in their battle against extremist groups.
This diplomatic overhaul aligns with the Trump administration’s broader agenda to shrink the State Department’s budget. The embassy closures come in tandem with the shutdown of the USAID foreign aid agency, which ceased operations after being defunded.
In a further shift in U.S. foreign policy outreach, Voice of America (VOA), the government-funded international broadcaster that played a key role in American public diplomacy, was also closed.
Somalia’s government, eager to maintain a U.S. presence amid ongoing security concerns, has attempted to incentivize Washington by offering management rights to several of its ports — including some it does not currently control.