A state department intelligence program that linked government analysts with outside experts has been quietly closed, part of the latest chapter of Donald Trump’s disengagement with the broader academic and research community.
The office of analytic outreach, part of the department’s bureau of intelligence and research, held its final event on 22 May before closing permanently, according to an internal email seen by the Guardian, as part of Marco Rubio’s sweeping reorganization that will cut 15% of domestic staff and shutter 132 of the department’s 734 offices and bureaus.
“I am devastated we are not allowed to continue,” program officer Greg Otey wrote in the email. “We have experienced staggering growth in demand over the last few years with events now regularly drawing audiences of over 200 analysts and policymakers from across the federal government.”