Olszewski: State Department Lay-offs Short-Sighted, Dangerous

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Johnny Olszewksi (D-MD), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s firing of more than 1,300 State Department personnel:

“In the fight for peace and stability, there is perhaps no greater weapon than diplomacy. Today, amid wars in Ukraine and Gaza, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and China and Russia’s increasingly close partnership, the Trump Administration is proceeding with its plans to dramatically cut our diplomatic forces. This isn’t just short-sighted – it’s dangerous. As our rivals increase staff at their embassies, our State Department will lose over 3,000 personnel, and hundreds of offices and bureaus will be eliminated or changed under this reorganization.

I have joined colleagues in asking the Office of Management and Budget to pause these lay-offs until the legality of the Administration’s reduction in force plans is decided. We must respect the judicial process and our system of checks and balances.

I will continue to fight to protect our invaluable and patriotic civil servants, many of whom call Maryland and its Second District home. These are real people with real families to support, who are also providing critical services that keep Americans safe. They deserve not only our gratitude, but due process under the law.”

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