Secretary of State Marco Rubio's plan to streamline what he called the "bloated" State Department by slashing staff and closing or consolidating bureaus was widely criticized Tuesday as a dangerous retreat from diplomacy and soft power that would weaken U.

Marco Rubio's first step toward overhauling the State Department is drawing fierce criticisms. The secretary's second step might actually be worse.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that the State Department faces heavy cuts in the name of efficiency.