The U.S. State Department allegedly held therapy sessions for employees after Donald Trump won the 2024 election.
Representative Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, has criticized Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the sessions. It has not been confirmed whether the sessions took place.
Earlier this month, Trump secured electoral victory over his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris—winning the Electoral College for the second time and the popular vote for the first time.
In a letter to Blinken obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, Issa criticized the alleged therapy sessions, "I am concerned that the Department is catering to federal employees who are personally devastated by the normal functioning of American democracy through the provision of government-funded mental health counseling because Kamala Harris was not elected President of the United States."
Issa added, "It is disturbing that ostensibly nonpartisan government officials would suffer a personal meltdown over the results of a free and fair election, something the United States champions around the world."
In the letter, the representative asked Blinken a series of questions, including how many sessions had been conducted, how many were planned and how much they cost the department.
Newsweek contacted Issa and the State Department for comment by email outside normal working hours.
Issa's letter followed a November 11 report from the Free Beacon that detailed an alleged one-hour therapy session held by the State Department. The report, which cited "four sources with knowledge of the meeting," also said another session was scheduled for November 13.
Free Beacon reported that an internal State Department email sent across the agency had encouraged employees to attend the session, where they could talk about their feelings following the election.
According to the outlet, one source described the meeting as a "cry session" over Trump's victory. The email advertised a webinar that would explore stress management techniques.
On X, formerly Twitter, Issa continued his critique of the sessions, writing: "The State Department is using taxpayer funds to provide post-election therapy sessions for employees. End this."
Trump's inauguration is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2025.
On November 13, Trump and President Joe Biden met in the Oval Office, where they discussed a "smooth transition" of power, as the president-elect prepares for his second term.
Trump said that during their conversation, which lasted for about two hours, he and Biden addressed key issues—including the war in Ukraine, which he has pledged to end swiftly upon taking office, and the ongoing crises in the Middle East.
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