On July 18, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a dramatic shift in the U.S. approach to foreign elections, implementing a new directive that limits public comments on the legitimacy of electoral processes in other countries. This new directive is part of the ongoing trend under the Trump administration, moving away from the previously established advocacy for democracy and human rights abroad.
In a cable sent to diplomatic and consular posts, Rubio instructed officials that any public comments regarding foreign elections should be succinct and centered on congratulating the winning candidate. Furthermore, he emphasized that such communications should only address shared foreign policy interests, avoiding any mention of the fairness, integrity, or legitimacy of the electoral process or associated democratic values.
Traditionally, the U.S. government has openly criticized foreign elections marked by fraud, intimidation, or malpractice, holding those regimes accountable and supporting grassroots democratic movements. Past administrations allowed for vocal condemnation of dubious electoral practices, with officials denouncing events they deemed undemocratic or flawed. Under President Joseph R. Biden Jr., criticism was directed at foreign electoral processes, highlighting incidents such as "election fraud" in Belarus and asserting that Nicaragua's electoral exercises were nothing more than a "pantomime."
Under the new guidelines, the role of the State Department’s messaging will be significantly altered, provoking concern among diplomats and advocates for democracy about how this will affect global democratic efforts and America’s standing as a promoter of human rights at an international level.
In a cable sent to diplomatic and consular posts, Rubio instructed officials that any public comments regarding foreign elections should be succinct and centered on congratulating the winning candidate. Furthermore, he emphasized that such communications should only address shared foreign policy interests, avoiding any mention of the fairness, integrity, or legitimacy of the electoral process or associated democratic values.
Traditionally, the U.S. government has openly criticized foreign elections marked by fraud, intimidation, or malpractice, holding those regimes accountable and supporting grassroots democratic movements. Past administrations allowed for vocal condemnation of dubious electoral practices, with officials denouncing events they deemed undemocratic or flawed. Under President Joseph R. Biden Jr., criticism was directed at foreign electoral processes, highlighting incidents such as "election fraud" in Belarus and asserting that Nicaragua's electoral exercises were nothing more than a "pantomime."
Under the new guidelines, the role of the State Department’s messaging will be significantly altered, provoking concern among diplomats and advocates for democracy about how this will affect global democratic efforts and America’s standing as a promoter of human rights at an international level.
