Recently, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., expressed concerns over therapy sessions reportedly held at the State Department for employees upset by President-elect Trump's election victory. Issa questioned the use of government-funded mental health counseling for employees who were personally affected by the election outcome.
According to a Free Beacon report, two therapy sessions were conducted at the State Department following Trump's victory, with one session described as an information 'cry session.' Additionally, an email was sent out promoting a webinar on stress management techniques to help employees navigate the post-election period.
In his letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Issa criticized the sessions as 'disturbing' and emphasized that nonpartisan government officials should not be experiencing personal distress over election results. While acknowledging the importance of employee mental health, Issa raised questions about the use of taxpayer dollars for counseling sessions related to the election outcome.
Issa also expressed concerns about the impact of these sessions on the agency's ability to implement President Trump's policy priorities. He suggested that employees who cannot align with the administration's goals should consider resigning and seeking positions in a future Democrat administration.
The letter called into question the willingness of State Department personnel to support the Trump Administration's foreign policy objectives. Issa demanded transparency on the number of therapy sessions conducted, future plans for such sessions, and the cost incurred by the department.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the therapy sessions at the State Department highlights broader tensions within the federal government regarding the aftermath of the 2016 election and the role of government agencies in supporting employees during times of political transition.
