Trump Administration Recalls Dozens of Career Diplomats in Sweeping Diplomatic Shakeup As the Trump administration continues to reshape US foreign policy priorities, the State Department has announced the recall of nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts around the world. This move is seen as part of a broader effort to install officials more closely aligned with President Trump's "America First" agenda. According to two State Department officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their tenures would be ending in January 2021. This includes 13 diplomats serving in posts across Africa, as well as senior envoys in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The decision to recall such a large number of career foreign service officers is highly unusual and represents a significant disruption to the normal operations of US diplomatic missions worldwide. Ambassadors and other senior embassy staff typically serve terms of 2-3 years, but it is rare for an incoming administration to conduct a sweeping recall of this magnitude. Observers say this move is emblematic of the Trump administration's efforts to exert tighter control over the State Department and US foreign policy. Many of the recalled diplomats are seasoned professionals who have served under both Republican and Democratic presidents. Their abrupt removal is viewed by some as an attempt to purge the foreign service of officials not deemed sufficiently loyal to Trump's "America First" doctrine. "This is a very heavy-handed and ideologically driven effort to reshape the State Department's leadership ranks," said Brett Bruen, a former US diplomat who served in the Obama administration. "It's a real loss of institutional knowledge and foreign policy expertise that will take years to rebuild." The timing of the recall also raises questions, coming just weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. The Biden transition team has signaled its intent to restore traditional US alliances and international cooperation - a marked departure from Trump's unilateral, transactional approach to foreign affairs. Diplomats being recalled span a range of experience levels, from seasoned ambassadors to more junior foreign service officers. Some had been scheduled to continue in their posts until the end of their normal tours, while others were nearing retirement. The abrupt nature of the dismissals has caused significant disruption and uncertainty within the foreign service. "This is an incredibly disruptive and demoralizing move for the career diplomatic corps," said one State Department official. "It's yet another example of how this administration has politicized and marginalized the expertise of our foreign policy professionals." The affected countries include longstanding US allies and strategic partners, raising concerns about the potential impact on key relationships. Ambassadors are being recalled from posts in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Brazil, among others. In Africa, the diplomats being recalled represent US engagement across the continent, including in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their departure comes at a critical juncture, as the United States seeks to counter the growing influence of China across the region. The State Department has not provided a detailed explanation for the mass recall, beyond stating that it is part of the normal transition process between administrations. However, former officials and foreign policy experts argue that the scale and timing of the moves suggest a concerted effort to install Trump loyalists in key overseas posts. "This is about rewarding political allies and punishing career professionals who don't share the administration's narrow nationalist worldview," said Bruen. "It's a dangerous gamble that could undermine US credibility and influence around the world." As the Biden team prepares to take office, the abrupt departures of so many seasoned diplomats will undoubtedly pose challenges. The incoming administration will need to quickly fill critical leadership roles at US embassies, while also working to rebuild morale and restore the State Department's traditional role in shaping and executing US foreign policy. In the meantime, the Trump administration's final weeks in power appear to be marked by a continued effort to put its stamp on the foreign service, even as it transitions to new leadership. The mass recall of diplomats is yet another sign of the administration's unconventional approach to diplomacy and its desire to leave a lasting imprint on the conduct of US international affairs.