JD Vance Stopped State Department Nominees Because of ‘Woke’ Policies and That’s Supposed to Be Bad

Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance used his prerogative as a US Senator to temporarily derail the nominations of over 30 Biden-nominated ambassadors over the issue of using US embassies as a launching pad to push various ‘woke’ issues on host countries. The tool used by Vance was a very detailed questionnaire that required nominees to answer some uncomfortable questions.

Armed with a questionnaire on hot-button social issues about gay and lesbian rights, gender transition care and hiring practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion, Vance (R-Ohio) held up for more than a year the nominations of dozens of diplomats assigned to serve in posts across the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

A copy of Vance’s questionnaire, obtained by The Washington Post and published here for the first time, asked would-be ambassadors if they would increase the number of “gender-neutral bathrooms” in U.S. embassies, boost resources for “gender dysphoria and gender transition care” and raise the “Progress flag” during “regional Pride celebrations.”

“The publics of many of our allies, and those countries we seek to build stronger relationships with, have traditional Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu moral values,” Vance wrote in the questionnaire he provided to all nominees. “If confirmed, how would you explain to them what the United States’ promoting ‘human rights for LGBTQ people’ would look like in their country?”

Eventually, Vance worked out agreements with all but two nominees. The nomination of David Kostelancik as ambassador to Albania remains in limbo. The nomination of Stephanie Sullivan to be US Ambassador to the African Union was eventually approved by the Senate, breaking cloture on Vance’s hold. Here is a great clip of Vance roasting her from the well of the Senate.

Some members of the diplomatic corps cried foul.

“It puts career diplomats in a bind to be asked to go on the record commenting on how they would support policies that are favored by the current administration but may not be by the next,” said Barbara Stephenson, a former ambassador to Panama who served in senior positions under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

“One party may support climate change agreements or DEI, and another may not,” she added. “Those career diplomats are required to support the policy of the administration in power, even when that means changing positions they have previously argued for or against.”

While neither Vance nor his office responded to questions for the article, Vance has since used X to do so.

There is no reason that US embassies should be a billboard for pushing anything but American interests. Unfortunately, during “pride” month, the “pride” flag (quick theological question: which sin caused Lucifer’s fall?) festoons US embassies across the globe.

During the mostly peaceful and festive George Floyd riots, our embassies flew George Floyd and Black Lives Matter flags like this one from Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sometimes, what can only be described as anti-American events were sponsored by our embassies.

Interestingly, most of the videos of George Floyd banners flying at US embassies have been disabled.

Perhaps the most bizarre episode was the George Floyd mural painted on the wall around the US embassy in Kabul, where most of the locals apparently thought it was Barack Obama.

This is a good sign that he has the correct instincts and the courage to begin to demolish the DEI and anti-American culture that has taken root in the federal bureaucracy. 

QUESTIONNAIRE

Vance Questionnaire by streiff at redstate