‘It’s a madhouse’: US state department workers reeling after Trump’s firings

Supporters of fired state department workers hold signs in Washington DC, on 11 July. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Workers at the US state department say firings, resignation buyouts, a proposed budget cut of 48%, and reorganization under the Trump administration has left staff with low morale and will likely have long-term impacts.

Foreign programs and services aimed towards LGBTQ+ communities, maternal and reproductive health, and minority groups have been removed or cut in place of far-right ideological policies being pursued by a 26-year-old senior adviser and Trump appointee at the agency.