The Trump administration has begun recalling nearly 30 ambassadors and senior career diplomats as part of efforts to ensure U.S. embassies align with its “America First” foreign policy priorities, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from diplomats and opposition lawmakers.
A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Monday, described the action as a routine process undertaken by new administrations, stressing that ambassadors serve as personal representatives of the president. According to the official, the president has the right to ensure that envoys abroad actively advance his agenda.
However, individuals familiar with the matter said the scale of the recall was unusual, noting that those affected were largely career Foreign Service officers posted to smaller countries where ambassadors are traditionally non-political appointees. The diplomats were reportedly encouraged to seek alternative roles within the State Department upon their return to Washington.
The State Department declined to release a list of those recalled or respond to criticism surrounding the process. The American Foreign Service Association, which represents career diplomats, said it was working to confirm affected members after some reported being informed by phone without any formal explanation. The association described the approach as highly irregular.
Its spokesperson, Nikki Gamer, said abrupt and unexplained recalls undermined morale and effectiveness within the diplomatic corps, warning that such actions could damage U.S. credibility overseas. The department did not respond to her comments.
Media reports had earlier indicated that about two dozen ambassadors were being asked to leave their posts. The move is seen as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort, during his second term, to place loyalists in key positions after facing internal resistance during his first term.
Reacting to the development, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticised the recalls, noting that about 80 ambassadorial positions remain vacant. She warned that removing experienced career diplomats weakened U.S. global leadership and created openings for rival powers such as China and Russia.
Shaheen said the decision would make the United States less safe, less strong and less prosperous, as debate continues over the impact of the policy on American diplomacy abroad.