In Reply to: Let's check in with Silver Bulletin posted by mh on October 22, 2026 at 09:53:36
Secretary of State Marco Rubio faces congressional and legal scrutiny as critics accuse his department of an illegal policy that promotes only staffers who voted for President Donald Trump.
The Washington Sun reported Thursday that the State Department asked some foreign service officers who they voted for in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections. Top department officials made clear that only candidates who voted for President Donald Trump would be eligible for the mid- to upper-level jobs, according to the report.
Candidates were also told that officials would examine their campaign donations and that any donation to Democrats would disqualify them, the Sun reported.
The Sun based its report on six current and former State Department officials. Three of them had spoken directly with people who were asked the questions.
Under the Foreign Service Act, personnel decisions for diplomats must be free from discrimination based on political affiliation.