NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to meet President Donald Trump this week on the heels of the U.S. leader announcing plans to sell NATO allies

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The State Department began firing more than 1,350 U.S.-based employees on Friday as the administration of President Donald Trump presses ahead with an unprecedented overhaul of its diplomatic corps, a move critics say will undermine U.S. ability to defend and promote U.S. interests abroad.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists he is streamlining a bloated department, but critics warn the cost to America’s standing and influence could be high.

The State Department is planning to lay off hundreds of U.S. staff, part of the Trump administration's plan to slash the size of the federal workforce.

State Department to release letter to all employees Thursday evening informing them that it's officially moving to implement “targeted reduction in domestic workforce.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s plan to downsize a “bloated” department had been on hold after a court ruling.

The State Department has formally advised staffers that it will be sending layoff notices to some of them soon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting. The United States and China disagree on various issues, including trade, Taiwan and Russia's war in Ukraine.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met counterparts in Southeast Asia during his first visit to the region since taking office.