Trump eyes closure of US embassies in Africa, overhaul of State Department - NYT

Additionally, the document proposes cuts to divisions at the State Department headquarters that handle climate change, democracy, and human rights issues.

The goal of the executive order, which Trump could sign as early as next week, is to implement a "disciplined reorganization" of the US State Department and "streamline mission delivery" while cutting "waste, fraud, and abuse." According to a copy of the 16-page document, the order also involves significant staffing cuts.

Sources say the order's signing will be accompanied by the dismissal of both diplomats and civil servants. Specifically, the State Department will begin sending many employees on paid leave and issue layoff notices.

The draft order also calls for the cancellation of the diplomatic service exam for future diplomats and sets new hiring criteria. This includes "alignment with the president’s foreign policy vision."

The document stipulates that the State Department will be required to significantly expand the use of artificial intelligence to assist in document preparation, as well as in "policy development and review" and "operational planning."

According to the NYT, some order provisions may change before it is signed. The media also notes that the proposed reorganization will allow for the elimination of regional bureaus that help develop and implement policy in various parts of the world. Instead, these functions will be distributed across four "corps." These include:

• Eurasia Corps, consisting of Europe, Russia, and Central Asia;

• Mid-East Corps, consisting of Arab nations, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan;

• Latin America Corps, consisting of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean;

• Indo-Pacific Corps, consisting of East Asia, Southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

One of the most radical proposals in the draft is the elimination of the Bureau of African Affairs, which is responsible for US policy in sub-Saharan Africa. It would be replaced by a much smaller office of Special Envoy for Africa, reporting to the National Security Council at the White House. The new office would focus only on a few priority areas, including "coordinated counterterrorism operations" and "strategic extraction and trade of critical natural resources."

The draft also states that all "non-essential" embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan African countries will be closed by October 1. Diplomats will be reassigned to Africa for "targeted, mission-driven deployments."

Trump plans to cut US spending

Just over a week ago, Donald Trump announced plans to reduce US spending. He expects the total to reach $1 trillion.

"I, along with members of the House and Senators, will be pushing very hard for these massive spending cuts, but we need to get the bill approved NOW. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," he wrote on social media.