Secretary of State Marco Rubio has abolished the State Department’s main bureau overseeing democracy and human rights as part of a broader agency reorganization. Announced Tuesday, the changes eliminate around 17% of department offices and aim to reduce domestic staffing by 15%, according to The New York Times.
The Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights — previously overseeing seven bureaus on migration, civil rights, trafficking, and more — has been replaced by the Office of the Coordinator for Foreign Assistance and Humanitarian Affairs. Only two bureaus now fall under its purview: one for democracy, human rights and religious freedom, and another for population, refugees, and migration.
Critics argue the reorganization diminishes U.S. soft power. Democrats and human rights advocates condemned the changes, noting they follow the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID, executed largely by Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen warned the process lacked transparency and pledged close scrutiny to ensure legal compliance and congressional oversight.
Sources
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
