The United States government is recalling many ambassadors and senior diplomats to make sure embassies are in line with President Donald Trump’s “America First” priorities. Some people believe this will harm the country’s reputation globally.
The State Department did not share a list of the diplomats being recalled. However, a senior official told Reuters that this action is normal for any administration. The official explained that an ambassador represents the president.
“It is the president’s right to have people in these countries who support the America First agenda,” the official said, speaking anonymously.
Sources informed Reuters that nearly 30 senior diplomats from smaller countries are among those ordered back to Washington. These diplomats usually come from the apolitical Foreign Service and have been notified about their upcoming departures.
Senior Diplomats Started Receiving Notices
The Associated Press reported that senior diplomats from at least 29 countries started receiving notices on Wednesday about their departures. Politico first reported that two dozen ambassadors were told to leave their posts.
The American Foreign Service Association, representing Foreign Service officers, released a statement on its Facebook page. It said it had heard credible reports that several career ambassadors appointed during the Biden administration were ordered to return by January 15 or 16 without any explanation for the move.
“Abrupt and unexplained recalls show a harmful pattern of undermining and politicization. This affects morale, effectiveness, and U.S. credibility abroad,” said spokesperson Nikki Gamer in an email referenced by Reuters.
Ambassadors serve at the president’s discretion and usually stay in their positions for three to four years. Those affected by this change will not lose their jobs but will return to Washington for other assignments if they choose to accept them.
The news agency noted that Africa will be most impacted, with ambassadors from 13 countries being recalled: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.
Ambassador changes are also happening in Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovakia, Algeria, Egypt, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and Suriname.
Jeanne Shaheen, a leading Democrat on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said on X that Trump is “giving away U.S. leadership to China and Russia by removing qualified career ambassadors who serve faithfully no matter who is in power.”
“This makes America less safe, less strong, and less prosperous,” she added.
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