Concerns are rising after reports that the U.S. State Department held therapy sessions for staff following the presidential election results.
According to The Post Millennial, Representative Darrell Issa has raised questions about the appropriateness and funding of these sessions, which were aimed at helping staff manage stress after Donald Trump’s electoral victory.
Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, has formally questioned the necessity and impartiality of these therapy and listening sessions provided by the State Department. He argues that these sessions, funded by taxpayers, may not align with the foundational principles of a politically neutral federal body.
Issa’s concerns focus on whether the sessions catered to employees upset by Kamala Harris's electoral loss, potentially impacting the unbiased nature of the State Department's operations. He is pushing for clarifications on how these sessions could affect employees' execution of their duties under the newly elected administration.
On November 8, the State Department hosted a session titled "Managing Stress during Change," conducted by the department’s Employee Consultation Services. This was part of a series of efforts to address employee well-being during the administrative transition.
Another session was reportedly scheduled for November 13, with additional informal gatherings that described reactions to the election outcomes. A specific session conducted by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs was informally dubbed a "cry session" over the election result.
The sessions were intended to provide State Department staff with strategies for maintaining mental health during significant workplace changes. However, Rep. Issa has criticized these sessions as potentially one-sided, accommodating and subsidizing a specific political leaning at the taxpayers' expense.
Said Rep. Darrell Issa, "I am concerned that the Department is catering to federal employees who are personally devastated by the normal functioning of American democracy...because Kamala Harris was not elected President of the United States. It is disturbing that ostensibly nonpartisan government officials would suffer a personal meltdown over the results of a free and fair election...It is unacceptable that the Department accommodates this behavior and subsidizes it with taxpayer dollars."
Issa has made a formal request for a detailed briefing from the State Department, seeking to understand the scope, frequency, costs, and geographical spread of these sessions, including any conducted overseas. His inquiry follows a report which first brought the sessions to public attention.
According to an internal email from the State Department, the aim of the "managing stress during change" session was to delve into effective stress management techniques. This session hoped to provide employees with tips and practical strategies for dealing with these issues during challenging times.
Issa’s request to clarify the intentions and implications of these sessions by November 22 reflects his and potentially broader concerns among the Republican Party regarding the use of federal resources for what they perceive as political purposes.
His assertions hint at potential misuse of federal funds and compromise of government impartiality.
In conclusion, the controversy highlights ongoing tensions post-election, with significant implications for federal employee support programs and their alignment with political neutrality.
The outcome of Issa’s inquiry could prompt a reevaluation of such support mechanisms within government bodies, driven by the broader debate over the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars and the maintenance of an unbiased federal workforce.
