Blinken asked for State Department to hold in-house therapy sessions

Rep. Darrell Issa, Republican of California, took aim at Secretary of State Antony Blinken after it was reported that the State Department held therapy sessions for employees upset by President-elect Trump's election victory.

“I am concerned that the Department is catering to federal employees who are personally devastated by the normal functioning of American democracy by providing government-funded mental health counseling because Kamala Harris was not elected president of the United States,” Issa said in a statement. letter to Blinken last week.

The letter follows a Free Beacon report earlier this month that detailed two alleged therapy sessions that allegedly took place at the State Department after Trump's victory, with sources telling the outlet that one of those instances amounted to an informational “scream session.”

TRUMP brings back former aide Sebastian Gorka and former State Department official ALEX WONG to serve in administration

Rep. Darrell Issa said the reported sessions were “troubling.” (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

In another case, an email was sent to agency employees touting an “insightful webinar in which we will delve into effective stress management techniques to help you through these difficult times” after Trump's victory, according to the report.

“Change is a constant in our lives, but it can often lead to stress and uncertainty,” the email said. “Join us for an informative webinar where we discuss effective stress management techniques to help you through these difficult times. This session will provide practical tips and strategies for managing stress and maintaining your well-being.”

In his letter to Blinken, Issa argued that the reported sessions were “troubling” and that “nonpartisan government officials” should not suffer “personal breakdown over the outcome of a free and fair election.”

President-elect Trump during a campaign event in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

MATT GAETZ SAYS HE WON'T SERVE IN NEXT SESSION OF CONGRESS

Although the Republican lawmaker acknowledged that the mental health of agency employees is important, he questioned the use of taxpayer dollars to advise those unhappy with the election, demanding answers on the number of sessions that have taken place, how many more are planned, and how many more are planned. the sessions are expensive for the department.

Issa also raised concerns that the sessions could also challenge the willingness of some State Department employees to implement Trump's new vision for the agency.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a ceremony May 10, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The mere fact that the Department is hosting these sessions raises important questions about the willingness of its staff to implement the legal policy priorities that the American people elected President Trump to pursue and implement,” the letter said. “The Trump administration has a mandate to make a radical change in foreign policy, and if foreign service officers cannot deliver on the preferences of the American people, they should resign and seek political appointment in the next Democratic administration.”

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.