Blinken questioned for State Department hosting in-house therapy sessions

Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, recently criticized Secretary of State Antony Blinken over reports that the State Department provided therapy sessions for employees who were upset by President-elect Trump’s election victory. Issa expressed concerns in a letter to Blinken, stating that he was troubled by the Department’s decision to offer government-funded mental health counseling to employees who were personally devastated by the outcome of a free and fair election.

The Free Beacon had reported on two alleged therapy sessions that took place at the State Department following Trump’s victory, with sources describing one session as an information “cry session.” Additionally, an email was sent out to agency employees promoting a webinar on stress management techniques in response to Trump’s win.

Issa described the reported sessions as “disturbing” and questioned the use of taxpayer dollars to counsel employees upset about the election results. While acknowledging the importance of mental health, Issa raised concerns about the impact of these sessions on the agency’s ability to carry out Trump’s agenda. He demanded answers on the number of sessions conducted, future plans, and the cost of these sessions to the department.

The letter also raised doubts about the willingness of State Department employees to implement Trump’s policy priorities, suggesting that those who cannot align with the administration’s goals should resign and seek positions in a future Democratic administration. Issa emphasized that the Trump administration had a mandate for significant changes in foreign policy, and employees should be able to support those objectives.

The State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.

In conclusion, Issa’s letter underscores the ongoing political divisions within government agencies and the challenges of maintaining a nonpartisan approach in a polarized environment. The debate over the use of government resources for therapy sessions highlights the broader tensions surrounding the transition of power and the expectations placed on civil servants in implementing policy changes.