Leaked documents reveal that the Trump administration plans to shut down at least 27 U.S. diplomatic missions, including 17 consulates and 10 embassies, as part of a proposed 48% budget cut to the State Department. The closures would affect posts in countries such as Scotland, France, Germany, Eritrea, South Sudan, Luxembourg, and others.
The policy is being shaped by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an executive task force led by Elon Musk. The administration has framed this as a cost-saving measure, but the scope and ideological framing suggest a broader strategic retreat from global diplomatic engagement.
While the proposal still requires congressional approval, its internal circulation and prioritization within the administration show clear institutional intent.
On the surface, this looks like budget trimming. But closing dozens of long-standing embassies and consulates — including the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh (established in 1798) — is not just about money.
This signals a radical ideological shift toward foreign policy isolationism and centralization of executive control. By slashing the U.S. diplomatic footprint, the administration is:
- Reducing international oversight
- Weakening multilateral cooperation
- Creating space for unilateral foreign action without constraint
This mirrors how authoritarian regimes reduce transparency and retreat from global norms in order to operate without diplomatic friction.
It is not merely a bureaucratic move — it is a structural unraveling of the U.S. commitment to international diplomacy and a deliberate weakening of foreign service institutions.