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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 4d

Using federal workers as pawns to maximize the negative impacts of a shutdown isn’t just partisan and reckless, it’s also bad for America. It jeopardizes the vital services we all depend on. AFSA stands with all public servants. www.axios.com/2025/10/07/t...

Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to backpay

A move to deny backpay to up to 750,000 furloughed workers would dramatically escalate Trump's pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.

www.axios.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 9d

Per @reuters.com
Gutting humanitarian aid has real-world impacts: www.reuters.com/business/hea...

Babies' deaths in Cameroon show how US aid cuts curtail malaria fight

Nine-month-old baby Mohamat burned with fever for three days before his family took him to the closest health centre in northern Cameroon, but it was too late. He died of malaria that day.

www.reuters.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 11d

As we await news of a possible government shutdown, we've temporarily lifted the paywall on our checklist of essential documents. Check it out: afsa.org/virtual-go-bag

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 16d

We call on the Office of Personnel Management to immediately issue detailed information to agencies and employees about the potential layoffs, so Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel alike can prepare for what may come.

afsa.org/afsa-stateme...

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 19d

Even during COVID, we didn’t see this many ambassadorship vacancies.

When the U.S. falters, our adversaries are quick to step in:
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Trump is breaking US diplomacy, State Department staffers say

More than 60 ambassadorships don’t even have a nominee, while diplomats are told they’re being evaluated on their “fidelity.”

www.politico.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 22d

Per @reuters.com, top U.S. diplomats working on Syria have been pushed out:
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...

www.reuters.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 23d

The State Department’s independent watchdog is set to launch 25 new reviews into U.S. foreign assistance.

We're eager to hear how the agency is handling the transfer of nearly 1,000 programs from USAID. 🤔

www.devex.com/news/state-d...

State Department watchdog office expands foreign aid investigations

The State Department's OIG will be launching 25 new projects into the country's foreign assistance work, with a focus on how the State Department is managing the transfer of nearly 1,000 programs from...

www.devex.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 25d

Turns out the mass firing of 25K probationary feds was illegal.
Interesting.
www.govexec.com/workforce/20...

Trump's mass probationary firings were illegal, judge concludes, but he won't order re-hirings

Agencies will have to send new letters to 25,000 impacted staff explaining the decision.

www.govexec.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 26d

"Our Foreign Service [members] would never seek to [go on] strike. Like military officers, they take their oath to defend the Constitution seriously and serve with pride in many difficult locations." - From an op-ed by AFSA member Ambassador Day Mount: www.capenews.net/falmouth/opi...

www.capenews.net

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Sep 11

"What we’re seeing in the diplomatic corps right now is fear."

Read AFSA's John Dinkelman's frank assessment of the current climate at the State Department.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...

U.S. diplomats say they are reluctant to share inconvenient truths with the Trump administration

"What we’re seeing in the diplomatic corps right now is fear," John Dinkelman, president of the American Foreign Service Association, told NBC News.

www.nbcnews.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Sep 10

𝐖𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩!
We’re planning a relaunch of our merch store.
Share your opinion of these slogans & any new ideas!
1. You don’t have to be a diplomat to stand with diplomacy
2. Loyal to the Constitution
3. Smart diplomacy prevents dumb wars
4. USA Needs USAID!
5. Strong diplomacy = Strong USA

a woman wearing a shirt that says: Smart diplomacy prevents dumb wars

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Sep 4

From the data we've collected from fired State employees, here's what was lost on 7/11:

—20 Chinese speakers
—17 Russian/Ukrainian speakers
—14 Arabic speakers
—4 Farsi speakers
—4 Korean speakers
And that’s only a partial list.
At a time of shifting alliances, we've traded expertise for chaos.

Taxpayers spent millions to train diplomats in critical skills and key languages like Chinese, Arabic, and Russian.

Then the State Department fired
250 of them.

How's that for "strategic?"

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Sep 1

This Labor Day feels different.

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 27

The State Dept layoffs are just the latest blow to the Foreign Service. They come after the dismantling of USAID & USGM. The push for deferred resignations has meant losing many colleagues. These attacks weaken diplomacy and leave staff to pick up the pieces.
federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/20...

State Dept promotes several diplomats after sending them layoff notices

American Foreign Service Association said the department’s decision to promote individuals after eliminating their positions “defies logic.”

federalnewsnetwork.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 26

The 2025 Foreign Service promotion lists reveal a stunning contradiction: according to our estimates, at least 10 of those promoted were also among the 264 FS laid off on July 11.

Further proof that the cuts were not based on merit, despite official claims.

Our statement: afsa.org/statement-20...

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 20

Ambassador Burns’ article is a must-read, not only for those who support our dedicated (and recklessly decimated) federal workforce, but also for those who believe the firings are justified.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

A Letter to America’s Discarded Public Servants

You all deserved better.

www.theatlantic.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 19

America’s diplomatic shield is cracking, and it's not from a foreign attack, but by our own hand. AFSA's John Dinkelman details why we should all be concerned.

www.newsweek.com/american-dip...

American Diplomacy Is Being Dismantled Before Our Eyes | Opinion

Last month, the U.S. State Department carried out what may be the largest single-day layoff in its history.

www.newsweek.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 18

AFSA's president and general counsel zero in on what's really behind the "union-busting" executive order.

Hint: It has nothing to do with national security, despite White House claims:

thehill.com/regulation/c...

thehill.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 14

AFSA President John Dinkleman addresses the harm caused by the recent cuts at the State Department:

foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/14/s...

Trump’s State Department Cuts Are a Self-Inflicted Wound

The reforms were more about making headlines than strengthening U.S. diplomacy.

foreignpolicy.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 13

On Aug. 15, every fired USAID career diplomat serving overseas will return home with their families. This marks another chapter in the dismantling of the agency. Explore a few firsthand accounts members shared with us: servicedisrupted.org/stories

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Aug 8

With the dismantling of USAID and weakening of our diplomatic corps, adversaries like China are taking the opportunity to flex their soft power. See what's at stake and how you can help: www.servicedisrupted.org

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Jul 31

Former Ambassador Christopher Hill shares his take on how the administration’s cuts and policies are hurting America’s standing in the world: www.cpr.org/2025/07/30/f...

Former ambassador talks diplomatic rollback, international implications

Christopher Hill has served as US ambassador to five different countries.

www.cpr.org

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Jul 30

Former ambassador Ken Brill lays out what's lost when diplomacy is disrupted:

thehill.com/opinion/inte...

thehill.com

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Jul 30

Why invest in global health?

Nidhi Bouri, a former USAID official, led response efforts to some of the deadliest outbreaks, including Ebola & mpox.

She’s seen how international efforts to prevent the spread of diseases help protect our health and safety at home. Read: afsa.org/putting-amer...

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · Jul 29

America is growing more protectionist, and our adversaries are taking notice.

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