Quote:Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has called for a briefing with Department of State officials over reports that the department offered in the wake of Donald Trump’s Election Day victory post-election therapy and listening sessions.

"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," Issa wrote in a November 19 letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.





"It is disturbing that ostensibly nonpartisan government officials would suffer a personal meltdown over the results of a free and fair election, something the United States champions around the world. It is unacceptable that the Department accommodates this behavior and subsidizes it with taxpayer dollars,” the letter added.

Issa wrote that the hosting of these sessions by the department also "raises significant questions about the willingness of its personnel to implement the lawful policy priorities that the American people elected President Trump to pursue and implement." He wrote that 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."

"The mental health of our foreign service personnel is important, but The Department has no obligation to indulge and promote the leftist political predilections of its employees and soothe their frayed nerves because of the good-faith votes of – and at the personal expense of – the American taxpayers," he concluded.

Issa requested a briefing with appropriate officials no later than Friday, November 22, to disclose how many of these sessions were conducted and how many more are planned, how much the sessions cost the department, whether sessions are being conducted overseas, and other questions.

The letter came after a report from the Washington Free Beacon that revealed the State Department held a one-hour session on "managing stress during change," hosted by the department’s Employee Consultation Services in the Bureau of Medical Services.

An internal email read, "Change is a constant in our lives, but it can often bring about stress and uncertainty. 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." The session was held Friday, November 8, and another was scheduled for November 13.

That same Friday, the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs also held a group discussion with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf and acting Undersecretary for Political Affairs John Bass, which one source briefed on the matter described as a "cry session" over Trump’s win.