Why State Department employees say Rubio is a ‘mute accessory to Trump’

Layoffs and Reorganization - The State Department experienced a significant reduction in force, with over 1300 civil and foreign service officers being terminated [1][6] - This reduction represents a 15% cut in domestic staff, accompanied by the dissolution or merging of over 300 bureaus and offices [1] - Reductions in force (RIFs) were implemented based on office assignments rather than individual performance, leading to widespread uncertainty and anxiety among State Department employees [8][9] Impact on Policy and Operations - The State Department's ability to formulate and implement foreign policy is hindered as employees feel unsupported and are hesitant to propose new ideas [10] - The administration's apparent lack of interest in the State Department's expertise and its perceived distrust of its employees further marginalize the agency's role [11][12][13] - The State Department is viewed by some as a resistance to the administration's policies, leading to internal divisions and the promotion of less experienced individuals aligned with the administration's agenda [14][15][16] Rise of the Ben Franklin Fellowship - The Ben Franklin Fellowship aims to reshape the State Department with more conservative, "America First" individuals, similar to the Federalist Society's influence on the judiciary [16] - This fellowship promotes individuals who are anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion, and skeptical of aid to Ukraine, often at the expense of more experienced diplomats [17] - Individuals associated with the Ben Franklin Fellowship are being rapidly promoted, sometimes to positions requiring decades of experience, despite lacking qualifications [18][19]