President Donald Trump is planning to recall 30 diplomats from posts that are typically left in place following a presidential administration because they are considered "apolitical" and replace them with MAGA loyalists, according to a new report.
The Guardian reported on Monday night that the diplomats would not be fired, but instead would be reassigned to other posts. The report added that the move is part of the Trump administration's goal of uprooting the "deep state."
Africa would be the continent hardest hit by Trump's move, according to the report. The administration plans to recall ambassadors from Somalia, Niger, and Congo, all of which are covered by Trump's current travel ban. The move would also impact foreign service officials in Egypt, Algeria, Slovakia, Montenegro, Armenia, and North Macedonia, according to the report.
Former foreign service officials and the union representing diplomats bashed the Trump administration for the move.
“This is a travesty,” said one former senior official who had spoken with ambassadors set to be reassigned, told the outlet. “It’s random, no one knows why they were pulled or spared.”
The American Foreign Service Association, the union that represents diplomats, added that the diplomats were being "penalized" for simply doing their jobs.
“The department must explain how these actions promote fairness for those who were recommended but not reached promotion this year and will now face challenges as others have been promoted ahead of them," the union said.