The recent appointment of Lew Olowski as acting director-general of the US foreign service has caused quite a stir in Washington. Olowski, a relatively inexperienced official who only joined the foreign service four years ago, is now in charge of human resources at one of the largest government agencies in the US. This appointment is usually reserved for seasoned diplomats, leading many to question the decision.
However, Olowski’s affiliation with the Ben Franklin Fellowship (BFF), a conservative-leaning network of retired and serving diplomats, may have played a role in his selection. The BFF, while claiming to be non-partisan, openly supports President Donald Trump’s America First agenda. This has raised concerns among critics who believe that individuals like Olowski are being promoted based on their alignment with Trump’s policies rather than their qualifications.
Despite the controversy surrounding the BFF and its influence within the state department, the organization has seen significant success in placing its members in key positions within the agency. Several BFF fellows have been appointed to senior roles since Trump’s inauguration, including Christopher Landau, who served as US ambassador to Mexico and was recently named deputy secretary of state.
Critics of the BFF have labeled it as the “Maga deep state,” insinuating that it is a group of disgruntled white male officials who oppose diversity and inclusion efforts within the state department. However, the founders of the BFF reject this characterization, stating that their goal is to promote meritocracy and equality of opportunity.
The rise of the BFF within the state department mirrors the success of the Federalist Society, a conservative network that played a significant role in nominating judges during Trump’s presidency. The BFF’s organizers have openly stated that they are following the Federalist Society’s playbook in their efforts to influence policy within the state department.
While the personnel changes at the state department have largely gone unnoticed by the public, they have raised concerns among some lawmakers. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, has criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio for appointing inexperienced officials over seasoned professionals. Meeks highlighted the case of Olowski replacing a highly experienced diplomat, Marcia Bernicat, as a troubling example of this trend.
As the state department continues to undergo significant changes under the current administration, the influence of groups like the BFF and the implications of their agenda on US foreign policy remain subjects of debate and scrutiny. Secretary Rubio and his team highly value the insights, ideas, and leadership provided by members of the Ben Franklin Fellowship. They believe that every employee, whether a BFF member or not, should come to work every single day to advance President Trump’s agenda.
President Trump has always been vocal about his disdain for the “deep state” that he believes obstructed his progress during his first term in office. He has made it clear that he wants to align the state department more closely with his Maga goals, including by dismissing senior bureaucrats whom he deems disloyal.
In a statement released after his inauguration, the White House directed the state department to align its “policies, programs, personnel, and operations” with an “American First foreign policy, which puts America and its interests first.”
This process began even before Trump started his second term, with his transition teams asking many senior career diplomats to step down from their positions. This purge was seen as unusual, as most political appointees resign when a new president takes office, while career Foreign Service Officers typically stay on from one administration to the next.
Those being pushed aside were described as “non-partisan public servants” with “decades of experience serving Republicans and Democrats and are key to US national security,” according to Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Some of the political appointments made have also raised concerns, even among Republicans. Acting under-secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, Darren Beattie, previously worked as a speechwriter for Trump during his first term but left his post in 2018 after reports emerged that he had spoken at a conference attended by white nationalists. Last year, Beattie stated that “competent white men must be in charge if you want things to work.”
Secretary Rubio defended Beattie’s appointment, stating that he was brought on board because of his dedication to ending censorship programs within the state department.
US diplomats have expressed privately that experienced career Foreign Service Officers are retiring or resigning in large numbers due to concerns about political developments within the agency. One diplomat mentioned, “They’re losing experts at an unprecedented rate. State is being infiltrated by dangerous radicals.”
It is clear that Secretary Rubio and his team are dedicated to advancing President Trump’s agenda, and they believe that the insights and leadership provided by members of the Ben Franklin Fellowship are crucial in achieving their goals. New research has found that incorporating mindfulness practices can have a significant impact on mental health and overall well-being. Mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment, has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
One study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that participants who practiced mindfulness meditation for just 10 minutes a day experienced a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression. The researchers believe that this is due to the fact that mindfulness helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, allowing them to better manage them.
Another study, published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was just as effective as medication in preventing relapses of depression. The therapy, which combines mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral therapy, helps individuals recognize negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive ones.
In addition to improving mental health, mindfulness has also been shown to have physical benefits. Research published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found that mindfulness meditation can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to a number of health problems including heart disease and obesity.
Overall, the evidence suggests that incorporating mindfulness practices into daily life can have a profound impact on mental and physical well-being. Whether through meditation, yoga, or simply taking a few moments to focus on the present moment, practicing mindfulness can help individuals reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while also improving overall health.
