US consulate threatened with closure under Musk cuts [View all]

Source: BBC

11 hours ago


The United States consulate in Edinburgh could be closed due to spending cuts imposed by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Documents seen by The Washington Post suggest the diplomatic mission – which has had a presence in the city for more than 200 years – is under threat due to a proposed 48% cut in the US State Department's budget under Donald Trump's administration.

The consulate, which occupies a prestigious address on Edinburgh's Regent Terrace, first opened in Leith in 1798 and provides services and support for American citizens. A spokesman for the US State Department said "operations were continuing as normal". The Scottish government said it would do "all it can" to maintain the "social, cultural and economic ties" between Scotland and the US. The Edinburgh consulate is reportedly among almost 30 diplomatic missions and embassies threatened with closure under the plans.

The Trump administration is proposing slashing the budget of the State Department and the US Agency for International Development by $28bn (£21.4bn) per year. Musk has made swingeing cuts to several areas of the US government after the businessman was appointed to head up Doge by President Trump last year. Consulates in France, Germany and South Korea are also said to be under threat of closure, alongside embassies in Malta, Luxembourg and South Sudan.

The State Department spokeswoman, Tammy Bruce, did not deny the reports when asked by CNN, but said the "White House and the President were continuing to work on their budget plan". Any move to close the consulate would likely require the support of the US Congress.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8k66ke7eo