State Department spokesman John Kirby said Friday that the 50 U.S. diplomats who signed a cable dissenting from the Obama administration’s policy in Syria will not get in trouble, and won’t be subject to retaliation in any form, including by denying them a promotion.

“I think it’s safe to say that Secretary [John] Kerry would absolutely find abhorrent any intent or desire by anyone in this department from holding against someone for purposes of promotion or advancement their right to use the dissent channel,” Kirby told reporters. “I mean, that’s absolutely abhorrent. It’s not only against the foreign affairs manual, it’s against all standards of ethics, conduct and integrity.”