U.S. Rep Demands Answers from Blinken after State Department Held Taxpayer Funded Post-Election Therapy Sessions

by Seamus Othot | Nov 25, 2024

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) accused Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week in a letter of using taxpayer money to host therapy sessions for State Department employees upset about President Donald Trump’s electoral victory.

“I am concerned that the Department is catering to federal employees who are personally devastated by the normal functioning of American democracy through the provision of government-funded mental health counseling because Kamala Harris was not elected President of the United States,” said Rep. Issa.

Issa was disturbed that ostensibly nonpartisan government officials were so distraught by President Trump’s landslide victory that they needed therapy, and he criticized Blinken for accommodating them.

“It is unacceptable that the Department accommodates this behavior and subsidizes it with taxpayer dollars,” said Issa.

He suggested that State Department employees who need therapy because of Trump’s victory might try to resist or undermine his foreign policy agenda.

“If foreign service officers cannot follow through on the American people’s preferences, they should resign and seek a political appointment in the next Democrat administration,” said Issa.

“The Department has no obligation to indulge and promote the leftist political predilections of its employees, nor soothe their frayed nerves because of the good-faith votes of—and at the personal expense of—the American taxpayers,” said Issa.

Issa penned his letter after the Washington Free Beacon revealed the therapy sessions earlier this month, and gave Secretary Blinken a deadline of November 22nd to respond to a series of questions related to the events.

He demanded to know how many therapy sessions were conducted and how many more are planned, and asked to review the materials used in the sessions. He also requested details also on how much the sessions cost, whether any were being conducted abroad, and if any similar therapy sessions had been held in the past for other reasons.

Four anonymous sources familiar with the matter told the Beacon that at least two sessions were scheduled, and one source referred to the therapy as a “cry session.”

“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,” said a State Department email, according to the sources.

Blinken has not responded publicly to Issa’s questions, though days have passed since the deadline Issa tried to impose.

Seamus Othot is a reporter for The Maine Wire. He grew up in New Hampshire, and graduated from The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, where he was able to spend his time reading the great works of Western Civilization. He can be reached at [email protected]

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