Trump Budget May Cut State Department Anti-Semitism Positions
President Trump’s first budget may eliminate special envoy positions at the State Department for combating anti-Semitism, according to a new report.
Trump’s plan may also cut the agency’s diplomatic staff dedicated to addressing climate change and conducting outreach to Muslim communities, Bloomberg said Monday.
Bloomberg said it confirmed the possibility with people familiar with the Trump administration’s plans for State.
Trump is also expected to eliminate one of the agency’s deputy secretary positions and reassign the staff elsewhere, it said.
The role in question oversees State’s management and resources, Bloomberg added, and the agency’s foreign aid is under similar scrutiny for potential cuts.
The administration announced earlier Monday that it is proposing a budget to increase defense spending by $54 billion by reducing spending elsewhere.
Reports emerged the same day Trump is expected to demand major reductions at State and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund his defense spending boost.
Trump is reportedly seeking major cuts to the EPA’s climate change programs and foreign aid through State.
Office of Management and Budget officials have not specified where the overall reductions would occur, but reports have said State’s budget could be slashed by up to 30 percent.
The EPA’s reductions are less severe, with as much as 24 percent of its budget possibly getting trimmed.
More than 120 retired generals and admirals urged Congress Monday not to slash funding for State’s diplomacy and foreign aid.
“The State Department, USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps and other development agencies are critical to preventing conflict and reducing the need to put our men and women in uniform in harm’s way,” they wrote.
“We urge you to ensure that resources for the international affairs budget keep pace with the growing global threats and opportunities we face. Now is not the time for retreat.”
Monday’s letter included such notable signatories as former CIA director and retired Gen. David Petraeus and former National Security Agency head and retired Gen. Keith Alexander.
Trump has reportedly instructed his Cabinet and administration officials to prepare budget requests for a first outline, expected March 13.
(h/t The Hill)