For Immediate Release
March 21, 2026
Press Contact: Communications & Outreach Director Nikki Gamer | gamer@afsa.org

Washington, D.C. – The American Foreign Service Association condemns the personal attacks against former U.S. ambassadors who raised concerns about the evacuation of Americans during the ongoing Iran conflict. The ambassadors spoke at a March 19 press conference convened by the American Academy of Diplomacy.

These are public servants who have spent their careers serving both Republican and Democratic administrations, advancing U.S. interests, and protecting American citizens abroad. Their perspective reflects decades of firsthand experience managing complex evacuations under pressure. They spoke out because they were alarmed by what they saw.

Public service demands seriousness and respect, especially in moments of crisis. It is profoundly unprofessional for a senior official at the department to engage in personal attacks, which divert attention from the concerns at hand.

Constructive criticism, particularly from those with direct experience, is a safeguard and a time-honored tradition at the department. Efforts to discredit such voices send a chilling message to the workforce and erode the professionalism and accountability that keep Americans safe abroad.

AFSA stands with these former ambassadors, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and with all members of the Foreign Service who speak out in good faith in service to the American people.

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) is the professional association and labor union of the men and women of the United States Foreign Service.