WASHINGTON - The Donald Trump administration drafted an executive order calling for "a drastic restructuring" of the State Department, including plans to eliminate most of its operations in Africa, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing anonymous officials and a copy of the draft.

The report said the executive order aims to impose "a disciplined reorganization" of the State Department, shutting down embassies and consulates across Africa, as well as offices at its headquarters that address climate change, democracy, human rights, and refugee issues.

The department would begin putting large numbers of employees on paid leave and sending out termination notices, it added, citing current and former US officials familiar with the plans.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the report "fake news" a few hours after it was published. The New York Times "falls victim to another hoax", he wrote on the social media platform X.

The well-known media outlet said neither the State Department nor the White House National Security Council responded to its requests for comment before publication, including an inquiry regarding whether President Trump would sign it, noting that elements of the draft could change beforehand.