1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

In January 2025, approximately 200 Foreign Service Generalist and Specialist candidates were issued confirmed offers of employment to attend the orientation class at the Foreign Service Institute scheduled to begin April 2025. These appointment offers were the culmination of years of preparations, examinations and clearances by these candidates, along with an enduring commitment to serve our nation as members of the diplomatic corps. In early March, a mere five weeks prior to that date, about half of that cohort, including all generalists and some specialists, received rescission letters revoking their invitations. Our request is that this cohort of officer candidates be reinstated as a class at the earliest possible date, that their onboarding to attend orientation at the Foreign Service Institute proceed, and that they be welcomed as commissioned Foreign Service Officers to serve the people and interests of the United States of America. Assuring them a seat at the earliest moment that serves the needs and interests of the U.S. Department of State would prove the most efficient and effective means in service to our country, and would honor the sacrifices, commitments and effort that they have expended to date. They fulfill the essential tasks of providing the US Government needed intelligence and information regarding the actions and attitudes of the people and leaders of adversaries and allies, and further promulgate the messaging of our nation to these country’s leaders and populations. These vetted foreign service candidates will fulfill their role in keeping America safe by preventing conflicts, gathering intelligence on emerging threats, enforcing sanctions against our enemies, negotiating agreements and safeguarding American interests in every corner of the globe. The administration’s stated commitment to merit-based hiring emphasizes the need for excellence and qualification in government service. The Foreign Service selection process is among the most rigorous merit-based systems in federal hiring, requiring candidates to pass a series of written examinations, interviews, and medical and security clearances before receiving a final offer of employment. Reinstating this class’ invitations, and continuing to hire Foreign Service Officers, retains the best and brightest talent this country has to offer. Entry-level FSOs perform a significant proportion of consular services for American citizens living overseas, which are revenue generating activities. Critical services such as issuing passports, defending the legal rights of detained Americans, emergency evacuations, and other important consular services are carried out by them. More than $1 billion in consular fees generated by our overseas missions each year further support the aim to enrich America. In this tight budget environment, with an explicit commitment to controlling government spending, sustaining and increasing revenue generation furthers our nation’s goals.