U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to reduce the State Department’s budget by nearly half for the fiscal year 2026. According to a report by Reuters on Tuesday, the Trump administration intends to cut the department’s budget significantly, which could result in the closure of at least 30 U.S. diplomatic missions in Africa and Europe.
An internal document sent by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reveals that the proposed budget for the State Department for fiscal year 2026 is $28.4 billion, compared to $54.4 billion in 2025.
The proposed budget cuts could lead to the closure of embassies and consulates. According to a separate document, the missions recommended for closure include 10 embassies and 17 consulates. The embassies are located in Eritrea, Grenada, Lesotho, the Central African Republic, Luxembourg, Congo, Gambia, South Sudan, Malta, and the Maldives.
Additionally, several consulates, mainly located in Europe, are recommended for closure. These include consulates in Busan (South Korea), Durban (South Africa), Medan (Indonesia), and Douala (Cameroon).
The proposed budget also suggests significant reductions in foreign aid provided through the U.S. State Department and USAID. The foreign assistance budget would be cut from $38.3 billion to $16.9 billion.
Furthermore, there are plans to completely shut down USAID, with some of its operations being merged with the State Department. Since February, nearly 5,000 projects have been terminated, and thousands of employees have been laid off. Educational and cultural exchange programs, such as the renowned Fulbright Program, are also proposed for cancellation.
The document states that existing international disaster aid and refugee programs will be discontinued, and two new programs will be launched instead. These include a $2.5 billion international humanitarian assistance program and a $1.5 billion Presidential Emergency Refugee and Immigration Program, which will be used to address new crises both domestically and abroad.