In Washington, concerns have arisen regarding the recent appointment of a junior foreign service officer to a prominent position within the State Department’s personnel office. This decision has sparked opposition from current and former U.S. diplomats, as well as their union.
Several groups, including the American Foreign Service Association, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and numerous foreign service officers, voiced their apprehension on Monday, following the appointment that was announced the week prior. This controversy arises amidst fears of potential mass dismissals of career staff as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to cut federal jobs.
Both aforementioned organizations are troubled by the assignment of Lew Olowski, a foreign service officer since 2021, to the position of temporarily leading the State Department’s Bureau of Global Talent Management. Traditionally, such roles have been reserved for either experienced or retired career diplomats. Olowski’s legal background and his past writings, which lean pro-Trump and anti-immigrant and have circulated widely within internal circles, have only intensified the concern.
In a statement, the American Foreign Service Association criticized the appointment, highlighting that placing a relatively inexperienced officer in such a pivotal role undermines the valued tradition and signals the administration’s undervaluation of expertise and professional growth within the department. The association expressed “deep concern” over this decision.
Officials at the State Department have attempted to quell worries, asserting last week that while Olowski’s appointment is unconventional, it does not signal impending widespread layoffs. He is anticipated to hold the role temporarily until the Senate confirms a permanent director general for the foreign service.
These officials pointed out the absence of a strict rule requiring personnel chiefs to be career employees and clarified that Olowski does have four years of career experience, making him a career officer.
Despite these reassurances, the American Academy of Diplomacy, consisting largely of retired foreign service professionals, labeled Olowski as “unqualified.” They criticized the bypass of Senate confirmation for this role, which they see as a mockery of the legal process and a disregard for the dedication and sacrifices made by diplomats over the years.
The State Department has yet to issue a response to the criticisms regarding Olowski’s appointment.