Washington:The US State Department has reportedly been asking career diplomats seeking promotions whether they voted for President Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, senior agency officials have suggested that support for Trump could impact eligibility for mid-level and senior Foreign Service positions. Additionally, candidates were cautioned that their campaign donation records would be reviewed, with contributions to Democratic candidates potentially leading to disqualification.

This alleged practice has attracted criticism from congressional Democrats, who are concerned that political loyalty may influence federal employment decisions. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed that these positions should be filled based on experience and ability rather than political allegiance, indicating that lawmakers are collaborating with other committees to investigate these claims.

US federal law prohibits government officials from making personnel decisions based on political affiliation. The State Department, while declining to comment directly on the reported inquiries, defended its staffing approach. A spokesperson emphasized that the department's principle is about implementing the president's foreign policy agenda, not engaging in partisan behavior. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly prioritizes merit and demonstrated performance in promoting career employees into leadership roles.