Ten Democratic senators are sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump’s decision to recall roughly 30 U.S. diplomats from ambassadorial posts around the world — a move they claim leaves more than 100 ambassador positions vacant and threatens U.S. leadership overseas. In other words, Washington Democrats are upset that President Trump is once again doing exactly what he promised: reshaping the system.
In a letter sent to Trump, the senators warned that what they described as a “vacuum in U.S. leadership” could pose risks to national security and U.S. citizens abroad. They urged the president to reconsider, arguing the move could damage America’s credibility and its ability to advance U.S. interests. Credibility, apparently, only matters when Democrats approve the staffing.
The senators labeled the decision “hasty,” complaining that Congress was not consulted and that there was no immediate plan announced to replace the recalled diplomats. They further argued that without senior leadership in embassies, countries like China and Russia would maintain influence while the U.S. steps back. Conveniently ignored, of course, is the fact that these diplomats were holdovers from the Biden administration — and not exactly champions of Trump’s America First agenda.
The Trump administration made the move last week as part of a broader effort to restructure America’s diplomatic posture, prioritizing personnel fully aligned with Trump’s policies. Chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed their tenures would end in January. All had assumed their posts under Biden and had previously survived an earlier purge targeting mostly political appointees during the early months of Trump’s second term. This time, alignment matters.
Africa is the most affected region, with ambassadors recalled from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda. Asia follows with six countries impacted, including the Philippines and Vietnam. Changes are also coming across Europe, the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.
The letter was signed by Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, along with Democratic Senators Chris Coons, Chris Murphy, Tim Kaine, Jeff Merkley, Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, Chris Van Hollen, Tammy Duckworth, and Jacky Rosen — a familiar lineup whenever Trump challenges the foreign policy status quo.
What Democrats call dangerous, Trump supporters recognize as decisive leadership. Presidents are elected to set policy, not preserve bureaucratic comfort. Trump is making it clear that representing America abroad means actually putting America first — not running autopilot diplomacy from the previous administration. And while critics wring their hands, the reset sends a strong message: U.S. foreign policy is back under presidential control, focused, intentional, and unapologetically American.
