The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 career U.S. diplomats serving as ambassadors and senior embassy officials, with chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries told their tenures will end in January. Africa is the most affected region, with 13 ambassadors listed, followed by six in Asia and several more across Europe, the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. The State Department defended the moves as a standard administrative process and said ambassadors represent the president’s personal policy priorities. Lawmakers and the diplomats' union have expressed concern about the potential disruption to U.S. diplomacy.
Trump Administration to Recall Nearly 30 Career U.S. Ambassadors in 'America First' Realignment
President Donald Trump holds a cell phone with a call to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as he departs on Air Force One at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Elm City, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is moving to recall nearly 30 career U.S. diplomats serving as ambassadors and in other senior embassy roles as part of a broader effort to reshape the diplomatic corps around President Donald Trump’s "America First" priorities.
Two State Department officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal personnel actions, said chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were notified last week that their assignments will conclude in January. All of the envoys identified were originally appointed during the Biden administration and had previously survived an earlier round of removals that targeted mostly political appointees.
Ambassadors traditionally serve at the pleasure of the president and typically remain in post for three to four years. Officials emphasized that the career diplomats affected will not lose their Foreign Service status; they are expected to return to Washington and may accept other assignments if they choose.
State Department officials described the changes as 'a standard process in any administration' and said the president has the right to place personal representatives abroad who align with his policy agenda.
Which Countries Are Affected?
Africa is the region most affected, with ambassadors from 13 countries listed for recall: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Asia follows with six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam. Four European posts were named — Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia — and two countries in the Middle East/North Africa region were listed: Algeria and Egypt. Nepal and Sri Lanka were identified in South and Central Asia, and Guatemala and Suriname were named in the Western Hemisphere.
Reaction And Context
Politico was the first outlet to report the recalls. The moves have prompted concern from some members of Congress and the union representing American diplomats, who warned that mass personnel changes could disrupt U.S. diplomatic operations and long-term relationships abroad.
Officials said the recalls reflect a deliberate effort to ensure U.S. diplomatic representation aligns with the administration’s priorities. The State Department declined to comment on specific numbers or to identify individual ambassadors.
What This Means: The recalls mark a significant personnel shift in U.S. diplomacy — one that could affect bilateral relationships, regional initiatives and continuity in U.S. foreign policy implementation. Career diplomats remain employed by the Foreign Service and may continue serving in other capacities.
