US weighs closing dozens of overseas embassies - Report

WASHINGTON, United States

The State Department is looking to close dozens of embassies and consulates overseas as part of its effort to dramatically reduce the United States’ diplomatic presence abroad, according to internal documents obtained by CNN.

The information, part of the FY 2026 budget proposal, proposes sweeping changes that are apparently meant to reduce federal spending – a goal of the Department of Government Efficiency and senior adviser Elon Musk.

It recommends closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates – many in Europe and Africa – and consolidating them into embassies in nearby countries.

It also recommends consolidating outposts in countries such as Japan and Canada, and reducing U.S. diplomatic missions in countries such as Somalia and Iraq, CNN reported.

It’s unclear if Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed off on the proposed closures.

Of the suggested consulates to close, the proposal names five in France, two in Germany, one in Edinburgh, Scotland and another in Florence, Italy.

It also recommends downsizing consulates in Montreal and Halifax, Canada.

Among embassies, it recommends shuttering those in South Sudan, Eritrea, Luxembourg and Malta.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently revoked visas for the people of South Sudan.

Other suggestions include reducing the U.S. presence in Mogadishu, Somalia and closing the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center.

The proposal follows reports that the Trump administration is preparing to ask Congress to slash the State Department budget and the U.S. Agency for International Development by nearly half, from $54.4 billion to $28.4 billion.