Ben Franklin Fellowship influence in State Department alarms diplomats and Democrats
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 6
Ben Franklin Fellowship influence in State Department alarms diplomats and Democrats
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 6
The Washington-based nonprofit, founded two years ago by three former US diplomats, is accused of helping Secretary of State Marco Rubio's office identify and recruit ideologically aligned career diplomats.
Critics say the invitation-only group hosts public and private events, works with Republican elected officials and conducts campus outreach while promoting conservative ideas and opposing diversity policies.
Founder Simon Hankinson, a retired foreign service officer, rejected the claims as paranoid and overstated, saying the fellowship has one full-time employee and that displaced diplomats are seeking someone to blame.
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