Trump’s State Department exposed in alleged illegal loyalty scheme

President Donald Trump's State Department is facing allegations of giving career diplomats political loyalty, including asking whether they voted for Trump in recent elections, in what appears to be an illegal scheme.

Mid-and-upper-level Foreign Service personnel were reportedly asked about their political loyalty, which could violate federal protections that bar political affiliation from influencing decisions about career personnel.

According to The Washington Sun, candidates were asked who they voted for in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections.

Top State Department officials reportedly told them only candidates who voted for Trump would be eligible for mid-to-upper-level foreign service roles. They also told candidates that their campaign donation history would be investigated and anyone who gave money to Democrats would be disqualified.

The report states six officials, current and former, were interviewed with knowledge of the alleged scheme and three had spoken directly with people who were asked the questions.

Unlike political appointees, career diplomats serve across administrations regardless of whether the president is Republican or Democrat or which party controls the Congress.

Democrats are planning to investigate the alleged crime after the report made its way to Congress.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that they were aware of the allegations and have been watching closely.

“The Committee has been following allegations that the Trump Administration is making political affiliation a factor in employment for some time now,” he said per the report, continuing:

“These are critical national security positions, and individuals should be chosen for their experience and ability, not their political loyalty. We are working with the House and other relevant committees to thoroughly investigate all such claims.”

The State Department is yet to release a statement reacting to the allegations.

However, a spokesperson defended the department's emphasis on “fidelity,” describing the standard as a commitment to the Constitution, lawful conduct, and implementing the president's foreign policy.

“Fidelity means upholding the Constitution and the law and executing policy with loyalty to the American people and their interests,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson denied that it was a political test, adding it’s “not about partisan behavior,” and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was rewarding employees who delivered results.

But the questions come after the department changed the performance evaluations last year to measure how aligned employees are with administration priorities.

The department recently conducted a massive overhaul of staff, with about a quarter losing their jobs. It is unclear if these changes were directly related to the allegations of loyalty tests.

Max Stier, president of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, called the alleged loyalty-test screening an “appalling and flagrant disregard of federal law.”