The government of US President Donald Trump recalls numerous diplomats around the world to embassies that worked under his predecessor Joe Biden were appointed. This was reported by several media outlets, including: Politico, CNN and Fox News. Locations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East are affected. The recalls should take place by mid-January.
The professional association of members of the US diplomatic service, American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), told the dpa news agency that there is currently no official number or list of those affected. This left it unclear whether the wave of recalls only affected diplomats or also ambassadors.
Ambassadors should advance “America First Agenda”.
There are reports from those affected who were informed about their recall in a phone call without receiving a reason. This approach is highly unusual, the association said. Normally, career diplomats would not be recalled in this way.
A high-ranking official of the US State Department When asked, however, spoke of a standard procedure. An ambassador is a personal representative of the president. It is his right to ensure that he has people in these countries who the “America First-Agenda” advance.
Professional association sees damage to US credibility
The professional association criticized a lack of transparency and a break with long-standing practices. There is a gradual erosion of professional independence in the Foreign Service, which is affecting the credibility of the Foreign Service USA a shame abroad. The whole thing also sends a signal to public servants that loyalty to the country is no longer enough and that experience and the oath to the constitution must take second place to political loyalty.
Politico reported that it is normal for new US presidents to replace ambassadors. However, other diplomats are generally allowed to remain in service because it is assumed that they will implement the wishes of the respective president in the White House, regardless of party.
According to reports from CNN The diplomats should only be given a limited time window to find an alternative – otherwise they would have to retire. According to Fox News, the diplomats will not be terminated but will be deployed to other areas of the State Department.
