FILE PHOTO: The seal of the United States Department of State is seen in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration wants to halve the State Department budget, cutting more than $30 billion, in fiscal 2026, four U.S. officials familiar with the plan said on Monday - a massive reduction that could see nearly 30 U.S. missions shut and foreign aid slashed by nearly 75%.
The sources said the cuts are outlined in a response by the White House budget office – the Office of Management and Budget – to funding requests submitted by the State Department for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on October 1.
As part of the plan - which is yet to be finalized - the administration is considering a recommendation to shut down at least 27 missions largely in Africa and in Europe, according to a separate internal memo seen by Reuters. Ten of those missions are embassies and the rest are consulates.
That document provides ideas on how to shift towards a lower-cost operating model in at least four other overseas missions. It also outlines how some multi-mission posts such as the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris can be consolidated.
The State Department, the White House and the OMB did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
