US Mission to OAS Gutted as Trump Appointee Clashes with Career Staff

The departures include the deputy chief of mission, the chief of staff, and a senior political counselor. These losses represent a significant portion of the Washington-based team, which typically operates with a limited number of foreign service officers. Sources describe an environment defined by Rizzuto’s confrontational management style, with reports that the ambassador likened staff who escalated internal concerns to "rats."

Rizzuto, a billionaire cosmetics heir and personal friend of Donald Trump, defends the personnel changes as a necessary pivot toward economic results rather than the mission’s historical focus on human rights and democracy. "I'm a business guy, so the bottom line is I want results," Rizzuto said, confirming that he personally initiated the removal of his top deputies. The administration’s skepticism toward multilateral forums remains a central driver of the shift, even as the White House increases its focus on Latin American security.

The ambassador’s tenure has been marked by controversy. During his previous attempt at a Senate-confirmed post, his nomination stalled following revelations of his social media activity, including the promotion of fringe conspiracy theories. Now firmly installed at the OAS, his leadership has further exacerbated tensions within a State Department already reeling from the mass removal of career ambassadors and widespread workforce restructuring. While Rizzuto maintains that he has replaced departing staff with high-performing individuals, the mission’s institutional memory remains severely depleted.