Washington, Dec 24 (V7N) — The administration of US President Donald Trump is withdrawing nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior professional diplomats from American embassies across the globe. The step is being taken to reflect the priorities of the president’s “America First” policy. However, critics argue that it risks weakening the United States’ credibility internationally.

The State Department has declined to release the names of the diplomats being recalled. On Monday, a senior department official described the move as a “routine process for any administration,” though critics disagree. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official stated, “An ambassador is the personal representative of the president. The president has the right to ensure that individuals implementing ‘America First’ policies are in place abroad.”

According to informed sources, the recall order affects approximately 30 senior diplomats who had been assigned to smaller countries, where top US representatives are traditionally career Foreign Service officers without political affiliation. Another US official said the recalled diplomats may be reassigned to new roles within the State Department.

Several diplomats were informed of their recall via phone without explanation. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), representing State Department officials, confirmed that it is working to identify which members are affected. AFSA spokesperson Nikki Gamer described the process as “highly unusual” and stated in an email that such sudden, unexplained recalls reflect institutional conflict and politicization, negatively affecting morale, effectiveness, and US credibility abroad.

The State Department declined to comment on Gamer’s remarks.

On Friday, Politico reported, citing a State Department official, that two dozen ambassadors had been asked to vacate their posts.

Since taking office for a second term, President Trump has sought to place loyalists in senior positions, aiming to overcome obstacles his foreign policy priorities faced during his first term in the nation’s national security apparatus.

Despite around 80 ambassadorial posts remaining vacant, the simultaneous recall of a significant number of diplomats has drawn sharp criticism from Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), she said, “By removing professional ambassadors who faithfully serve regardless of who is in office, President Trump is handing US leadership to China and Russia, making America less safe, less prosperous, and weaker.”

END/WD/AJ/