US State Department lays off more than 1350 employees

The eventual total reduction in the US State Department workforce will be nearly 3000. (AP PHOTO) The eventual total reduction in the US State Department workforce will be nearly 3000. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP The State Department has begun firing more than 1350 US-based employees as the Trump administration presses ahead with an unprecedented overhaul of its diplomatic corp. Critics say the move will undermine US ability to defend and promote US interests abroad. The layoffs, which affect 1107 civil service and 246 foreign service officers based in the United States, came on Friday at a time when Washington is…