An Uncertain Future as Tillerson Plans State Department Overhaul

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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to address State Department staff today for the first time since assuming his post in February. His goal is to fix what he considers an inefficient agency, with a proposal to eliminate 2,300 jobs or about 3 percent of the workforce.

Last week, officials stated that Tillerson's proposal responds to the Office of Management and Budget’s call to reduce State Department and USAID budgets by 31 percent. This move would come with a focus on deep cuts to foreign aid programs. Tillerson's cut would represent a 26 percent reduction of the budget.

This overhaul comes as reports say that the State Department is running at limited capacity. Many vacancies from the upper ranks haven't been filled by the current administration, leaving some uncertainty about the future of the agency.

Robert Berschinski, former deputy assistant secretary of state for human rights for the Obama Administration, and senior vice president of policy for Human Rights First, discusses Tillerson's proposal, and the current situation at the State Department.

This segment is hosted by Todd Zwillich.