US EditionTrump Administration Tells Embassies to Rein in Criticism of Foreign Elections
UNITED STATES, JUL 17 – The directive limits diplomats to comment only when U.S. foreign policy interests are clear, reflecting a shift from promoting democracy to prioritizing strategic partnerships, officials said.
- On July 17, 2025, the head of the U.S. State Department directed American diplomatic missions worldwide to refrain from commenting on the fairness or legitimacy of elections held in other countries.
- This directive follows the Trump administration's shift away from decades of U.S. practice promoting democracy and election scrutiny, aligning with President Trump's emphasis on respecting national sovereignty.
- The guidance limits official election commentary to brief congratulations of declared winners and requires senior Washington approval for any critical messages, forbidding diplomats from publicly discussing electoral integrity.
- Last week, Secretary Rubio cut 1,300 State Department staff members, and the memorandum reflects President Trump’s directive that the U.S. will engage in partnerships based primarily on aligned strategic goals, even if those countries do not share democratic principles.
- This policy signals a concrete move toward prioritizing U.S. strategic interests over democracy promotion, potentially reducing American influence on global electoral processes and human rights advocacy.
49 Articles
49 Articles
‘Would the president say this?’ Rubio demands diplomats parrot Trump
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after cutting 1,300 employees last week, is now ordering diplomats not to comment on foreign elections and internal affairs, limiting official communications to congratulating the declared winner.“Rubio has instructed U.S. diplomats not to comment on the legitimacy or fairness of foreign elections, breaking with decades of American diplomatic practice,” The Daily Beast reports. In a memo, the Secretary stated…
'Would the president say this?' Rubio demands diplomats echo Trump
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after cutting 1,300 employees last week, is now ordering diplomats to not comment on foreign elections and internal affairs—limiting official communications to congratulating the declared winner.“Rubio has instructed U.S. diplomats not to comment on the legitimacy or fairness of foreign elections, breaking with decades of American diplomatic practice,” The Daily Beast reports. In a memo, the Secretary stated …
‘America First’ – State Department Takes A Step Away From Nation Building
By Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell, The Daily Signal | July 17, 2025 The State Department will pivot away from meddling in foreign elections in accordance with President Donald Trump’s emphasis on national sovereignty, The Daily Signal has learned. State Department employees will no longer be allowed to publicly comment on foreign elections unless “there is a clear and compelling U.S. foreign policy interest to do so,” according to a memo issued Wed…
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