WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - The State Department began firing more than 1,350 U.S.-based employees on Friday as the administration of President Donald Trump presses ahead with an unprecedented overhaul of its diplomatic corps, a move critics say will undermine U.S. ability to defend and promote U.S. interests abroad.

The State Department informed U.S.-based employees on Thursday that it would soon be laying off nearly 2,000 workers as part of a plan to downsize its domestic workforce.

Employees of the U.S. State Department could receive a layoff notice via email very soon as part of the Trump administration's plan to downsize the government.

A rally is expected, with supporters “clapping out” departing State Department employees and protesting the layoffs at 4 p.m. Friday.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen criticized the State Department’s decision to lay off 1,300 employees as it is seen as a retreat from global commitments and a victory for adversaries such as China and

The State Department will begin mass layoffs of civil servants and foreign service officers as part of their restructuring plan.

Videos show emotional scenes as tearful State Department employees emerge to applause from colleagues after being abruptly fired.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Education Department to fire hundreds of employees on Monday, a move that advances President Donald Trump's plans to dismantle the department.The high court's decision in McMahon v.