US Edition
Trump 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 diplomats around the world to refrain from commenting on the fairness or legitimacy of elections held in other countries.
- This directive departs from decades of U.S. diplomatic practice of publicly questioning election legitimacy, reflecting the Trump administration's America First policy emphasizing national sovereignty.
- The cable directs that diplomatic messages should be brief, focus on congratulating declared winners, avoid discussing democratic values, and require Washington's approval before amplifying outside election monitoring groups' findings.
- Secretary Rubio indicated that the U.S. intends to form alliances with nations based primarily on aligned strategic goals, without prioritizing those countries’ democratic standards, marking a departure from its previous emphasis on promoting human rights internationally.
- This policy suggests the U.S. will limit election-related comments to cases with clear foreign policy interests, potentially reducing public U.S. criticism of authoritarian regimes' electoral processes.
56 Articles
56 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 …
'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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