The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 career diplomats, including the U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka, as it moves to reshape America’s diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of Donald Trump’s “America First” priorities.
According to two State Department officials, the chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their tenures would end in January. All had taken up their posts during the Biden administration but survived an initial purge in the early months of Trump’s second term that targeted mainly political appointees. Notices of their imminent departures were issued from Washington on Wednesday.
Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president, typically for three to four years, but those affected by the shakeup will return to Washington for other assignments if they choose. The State Department defended the changes as “a standard process in any administration,” noting that ambassadors are personal representatives of the president and must advance the “America First” agenda.
Africa is the most affected region, with 13 ambassadorial removals, followed by six in the Asia-Pacific, four in Europe, two each in the Middle East and South Asia—including Nepal and Sri Lanka—and two in the Western Hemisphere. Politico first reported the recalls, which have sparked concern among lawmakers and the union representing American diplomats. (The Guardian)