The State Department under the Biden-Harris administration arranged a therapy session for its employees on Friday following Donald Trump’s election win, as reported by four sources familiar with the event to the Washington Free Beacon.
“Managing stress during change,” was the subject line of an internal email circulated within the agency, encouraging staff to attend a one-hour session dedicated to discussing their emotional reactions to the recent election. This initiative was coordinated by the Employee Consultation Services within the Bureau of Medical Services, as detailed in the email shared with the Free Beacon.
“Change is a constant in our lives, but it can often bring about stress and uncertainty,” the email stated. “Join us for an insightful webinar where we delve into effective stress management techniques to help you navigate these challenging times. This session will provide tips and practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining your well being.”
The session was conducted by a licensed clinical professional, with another session planned for November 13, according to the notification.
Additionally, the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, responsible for American diplomacy in the tumultuous Middle East, conducted a separate group discussion that same day featuring Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf and Acting Undersecretary for Political Affairs John Bass, as confirmed by three individuals briefed on the discussions.
One attendee referred to the gathering as a “cry session” triggered by Trump’s win, which is expected to bring significant changes to the department. Employees within the Bureau have reportedly been advocating for sanctions against the Israeli government and delaying essential arms shipments, claiming that Israel is failing to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. During the meeting, participants shared their struggles with the election outcome and were encouraged to express their feelings in a confidential environment.
“For four years, within the rank and file, there has been an over emphasis on people’s feelings, often with a college campus-like fervor, rather than the work of advancing America’s interests,” one U.S. official with insight into the meetings told the Free Beacon.
“This meeting was hopefully the last gasp of that,” the source remarked, adding that there is “lots to unf—k” at the State Department following the Biden-Harris administration’s four years in office.
Another source familiar with the private conversations indicated that “the State Department is filled with partisan Democrats who are unwilling or unable to faithfully serve in the Trump administration.”
A request for comment from the State Department on this issue went unanswered.
Under Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spearheaded efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the State Department during the Biden-Harris administration.
In February 2021, shortly after a directive from the White House mandated an acceleration of DEI initiatives across the federal government, Blinken established the Office of Diversity and Inclusion within the department. According to the Free Beacon’s report in September, senior leaders of the DEI office earn nearly $200,000 annually, funded by taxpayer dollars.
The State Department also hosted similar therapy sessions in May 2023 after an email error improperly assigned random and inaccurate pronouns to employees. The agency encouraged “any employee who feels hurt or upset as a result of this unfortunate mistake” to utilize available mental health services, as reported at the time by the Free Beacon.
