Trump administration considers major State Department overhaul, Rubio denies report

A draft executive order from the Trump administration proposes sweeping changes to the State Department, including eliminating most of its Africa-related operations and closing embassies and consulates across the continent, according to U.S. officials and a copy of the document reviewed by reporters, and cited by The New York Times.

The draft also includes plans to dismantle several offices at the department’s Washington headquarters that focus on issues such as climate change, refugees, democracy promotion, and human rights — all longstanding pillars of U.S. foreign policy.

It remains unclear who authored the document or at what stage it falls within internal discussions about restructuring the State Department. Officials say the draft is one of several recent proposals circulated within the administration, and that deliberations over potential changes occur on a near-daily basis.

Some elements of the draft have been discussed by U.S. officials in recent weeks, though there is no indication of how seriously the ideas are being considered or whether the president intends to act on them. White House officials noted that the contents of the draft could change significantly before undergoing final review or being signed by President Trump — if he chooses to do so at all.

Following the report's publication, Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded on social media, dismissing it as “fake news.” There is no evidence that Rubio or his senior staff have approved the draft, although they are known to be involved in broader efforts to reorganise the department.

Neither the State Department nor the National Security Council responded to multiple requests for comment before the article’s release, including inquiries about whether President Trump would move forward with the proposed executive order.

By Khagan Isayev