Last month, Lew Olowski, a relatively unknown official and former national security lawyer, was appointed acting director-general of the US foreign service, sparking shock in Washington due to his short tenure in the foreign service. His affiliation with the Ben Franklin Fellowship, a conservative network supporting Trump’s America First agenda, has facilitated the rise of like-minded officials within the State Department, raising concerns about the erosion of professionalism in favor of political loyalty. Critics argue this shift undermines the agency’s integrity, as established professionals are replaced by those aligned with Trump’s policies.
