Fascists have Purged the State Department

Many of my friends, neighbors, and colleagues are reeling from the mass firings at the State Department - here's why they are a threat to democracy and will weaken American diplomacy abroad

My Fellow Democracy Defenders,

Last week, many of America’s finest civil servants in the State Department were fired. Some of them were my friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We are in mourning. My partner is still struggling after she was fired from her DEI public service career earlier this year. I am staying in the fight to gather evidence of the regime’s many crimes, but we need your help to afford our growing legal fees.

Please upgrade if you value defending our sacred democracy:

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The US State Department has faced significant personnel reductions through layoffs and budget cuts, raising alarm among foreign policy experts, diplomats, and democratic institutions. These actions, whether driven by fiscal austerity, political motivations, or administrative restructuring, represent more than just bureaucratic adjustments. They pose a serious threat to the integrity of American democracy and the effectiveness of American diplomacy abroad. The erosion of the State Department’s capacity undermines America’s ability to lead globally, weakens democratic governance at home, and diminishes the nation's soft power in an increasingly multipolar world.

A Hollowing Out of Institutional Expertise

The Foreign Service is composed of professionals who have spent years cultivating deep expertise in international relations, regional affairs, and crisis management. Layoffs disproportionately affect mid-level officers and specialists, many of whom possess nuanced knowledge of specific countries, cultures, and diplomatic protocols. When these individuals are forced out without adequate replacements, the institutional memory and continuity that underpin effective diplomacy begin to erode.

This hollowing out of expertise leaves America ill-prepared to respond to global crises from humanitarian disasters to geopolitical conflicts. It also places greater strain on remaining personnel, leading to burnout and further attrition. Over time, this creates a vicious cycle that weakens America’s diplomatic readiness and responsiveness.

Undermining Democratic Norms and Transparency

A strong and well-resourced State Department is essential to upholding democratic norms both domestically and internationally. Diplomacy is not merely about negotiation; it is also about projecting our values of human rights, rule of law, transparency, and accountability. When the department is weakened, its ability to advocate for these principles is diminished, especially in authoritarian contexts where sustained engagement is most needed.

Moreover, opaque decision-making surrounding layoffs can undermine public trust in government institutions. If personnel are being removed based on partisanship rather than performance, it sets a dangerous precedent that corrodes meritocracy and civil service independence. This politicization threatens the very foundations of democratic governance, where professional, nonpartisan bureaucracies are meant to serve as stabilizing forces.

Eroding Soft Power and Global Influence

American influence has long relied on a combination of military strength, economic leverage, and soft power. The ability to persuade and inspire rather than coerce. State Department plays a central role in advancing this soft power through cultural diplomacy, development aid, and multilateral engagement.

Layoffs reduce the number of diplomats available to build relationships with allies, engage with emerging powers, and support democratic movements abroad. As American embassies scale back operations, adversaries like China and Russia have stepped in to fill the void, offering alternative models of governance and development that often lack democratic safeguards. The result is a shift in the balance of influence away from the US and toward autocratic regimes.

A Strategic Disadvantage in a Multipolar World

In today’s complex international landscape, characterized by global pandemics, climate change, cyber warfare, and rising authoritarianism, robust diplomacy is more critical than ever. Yet, at a time when America should be investing in its diplomatic corps, recent actions signal a retreat from global leadership.

This strategic disadvantage is compounded by the growing capabilities of rival states. While America scales back, competitors are expanding their diplomatic reach and deepening alliances. The inability to match this outreach weakens America’s position in international organizations, trade negotiations, and security partnerships.

Conclusion

The recent layoffs at the State Department are not simply a matter of internal restructuring. They are symptomatic of a broader disinvestment in one of the core pillars of American democracy and global leadership. By undermining institutional expertise, weakening democratic norms, eroding soft power, and ceding strategic ground to authoritarian rivals, these cuts threaten the very fabric of what makes the United States a trusted and effective global actor.

Preserving and strengthening America’s diplomatic apparatus must be seen as a national imperative not only for the sake of foreign policy efficacy, but for the defense of democratic ideals at home and abroad. Without a capable and independent State Department, America’s role as a champion of democracy will become increasingly untenable in the 21st century.