The nation’s diplomatic corps, feeling under fire from President Trump as he defends his actions in Ukraine, are stepping up their efforts to fight the White House and protect their own.
In one key move, the American Foreign Service Association has increased its requests for donations to its legal defense fund.
And in its November issue of the authoritative magazine Foreign Service Journal, the group said it would protect diplomats under fire, like those criticized by the White House for their testimony backing up a national security whistleblower instead of the president in the House impeachment proceedings.
Leading the group’s webpage is a call for donations to the legal defense fund.
“Sometimes cases come along where AFSA is unable to provide the time or legal expertise that is required. It is in such instances that the LDF can provide financial support which assists the member in retaining an outside attorney with expertise in a particular area of law. Unfortunately, this is one of those times. We have members in need as a result of the ongoing congressional impeachment investigation. Your contribution can help,” said the notice.
The November issue of the group’s magazine featured an excerpt of the impeachment testimony from former Ukraine Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, pushed out by the White House, and a story on the impeachment.
And it also featured an editorial from AFSA President Eric Rubin promising to defend diplomats from attacks.
“We expect our elected and appointed leaders to respect the career professionals of the Foreign Service and to recognize their commitment to serving the United States and to honoring their oath to the U.S. Constitution,” he wrote, adding, “We also expect them to refrain from equating well-considered dissent for disloyalty. Constructive dissent must be confidential, never public; and dissenters must accept that at the end of the day our policy will be set by our elected leaders.”
