The key facts

  • Per The Washington Sun, candidates for promotion at the State Department were asked about voting for Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024
  • Candidates were warned about checks of donation records; contributions to Democrats could become grounds for removal
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen said committees are investigating the allegations; the State Department declined to comment on the questions but defended its approach

Questions about voting in promotion interviews

The US State Department, according to The Washington Sun, asked career diplomats seeking promotion whether they had voted for Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections. As the outlet reported, senior officials at the department indicated that support for Trump could determine access to mid-level and senior diplomatic service positions. Candidates were also warned that their records of donations to campaigns would be checked, and contributions to Democratic candidates could become grounds for removal.

Sources and reaction in Congress

The Washington Sun cites six current and former State Department employees; three of them, according to the outlet, spoke directly with people who were asked such questions. The practice drew the attention of Democratic congressmembers concerned about political loyalty becoming a factor in decisions on federal employment. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the newspaper that the committee is monitoring allegations that the Trump administration takes party affiliation into account in hiring. In her words, 'these are critically important national security positions, and people should be chosen based on experience and ability, not political loyalty'; she added that lawmakers are working with other committees on an investigation.

The State Department's position and legal context

US federal law prohibits officials from making personnel decisions based on political affiliation. The State Department declined to comment directly on the reports about the questions, but defended its approach to personnel and promotions. According to a spokesperson, 'fidelity means upholding the Constitution and the law and carrying out policy with loyalty to the American people and their interests.' The spokesperson emphasized that this is not about 'partisan behavior' but about implementing the president's foreign policy agenda, and added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, when appointing career employees to leadership positions, prioritized merit and 'demonstrated performance in the interests of the administration's priorities.'