Washington, July 18 (V7N) – The Trump administration has directed all U.S. diplomats worldwide to refrain from commenting on the legitimacy, transparency, or democratic standards of elections in foreign countries — a significant shift in American foreign policy tradition.

In a classified cable dated July 17, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued instructions to embassies and diplomatic missions stating that no statements or social media posts may be made about foreign elections unless they serve a "clear and important" U.S. diplomatic interest. The directive, labeled “sensitive,” was obtained by Reuters and reported Thursday.

According to the cable, commentary on foreign electoral processes will now be restricted solely to cases where urgent U.S. policy interests are involved. Even then, diplomatic statements are expected to remain limited and strategic, typically congratulating the winner and noting bilateral cooperation — not assessing the election’s fairness.

The document further clarifies that only the Secretary of State or an official spokesperson is authorized to speak publicly on foreign elections. U.S. ambassadors and embassy staff are explicitly barred from making unauthorized comments, whether in official communications or on social media.

Rubio cited President Donald Trump's May 13 speech in Riyadh as the philosophical basis for this change. In that address, Trump criticized “Western interventionism,” stating that the United States no longer seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations, especially in the Middle East. "We want to build partnerships, not preach how others should govern," Trump said.

In response to questions from Reuters, a State Department spokesperson stated that the policy reflects "a renewed respect for national sovereignty and non-interference."

The shift has raised concern among diplomats and foreign policy experts who say the U.S. has historically played a role in promoting democratic values globally. Critics warn that the new doctrine may embolden authoritarian regimes and undermine global efforts to ensure electoral integrity.

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