State Department disputes alleged political screening of candidates

The State Department is accused of asking some Foreign Service promotion candidates how they voted in three presidential elections and warning that support for Democrats could disqualify them, allegations the department disputes. The claims, reported by The Washington Sun on October 22, concern candidates for mid- and upper-level Foreign Service positions. The publication said six current and former department officials had knowledge of the questioning, including three who said they spoke directly with employees who received the questions. The allegations have not been independently established in the reporting. According to the account, candidates were asked how they voted in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Officials allegedly indicated that only people who voted for President Donald Trump would be eligible for the posts and that campaign donations to Democrats could count against candidates. The department said employees were not asked about political affiliation, including in promotion decisions. A State Department spokesperson described its fidelity standard as upholding the Constitution and the law and carrying out the president’s foreign policy. The spokesperson said the standard...