In a recent development, concerns have been raised about a U.S. State Department employee named Fritz Berggren, who has been accused of drafting antisemitic blog posts. The attention surrounding Berggren’s views has caught the interest of Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa. Senator Grassley expressed serious concerns about Berggren’s ability to serve as a diplomatic representative and decision-maker due to his hateful comments.
Berggren’s blog, titled “Blood and Faith,” has gained attention from federal officials in 2021. In his blog and podcast, Berggren has advanced views that Jews are “the enemy.” Despite the controversy surrounding Berggren, he remains employed by the State Department. His first blog post was published in September 2017, according to the website.
This issue has raised alarm among Jewish students at Georgetown University, who fear violence amid heated rhetoric from classmates and anti-Israeli groups. Senator Grassley initially inquired about Berggren’s employment in July, and while the State Department confirmed his employment, they did not provide any further comments on his status. Currently, Berggren serves as a foreign service officer.
Senator Grassley followed up with a letter on October 30, seeking information from Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding Berggren’s employment status and role at the State Department. He also inquired about Berggren’s responsibilities, whether he had recused himself from decision-making due to his reported public comments, and if records exist of his approvals and denials as a visa application adjudicator.
Grassley emphasized the need for transparency, stating that American taxpayers deserve to know why the government considers an outright antisemite fit to represent them diplomatically while receiving a salary. He called on the Biden administration to respond to his oversight and urged them to align their actions with their claims of opposing hate.
Digital reached out to Berggren for comment but did not receive a response by the press deadline. However, Berggren posted on his blog in response to Grassley’s letter, expressing difficulty in staying employed when a U.S. Senator publicly demands his termination. He encouraged Christians and Whites to stop being afraid of powerful people, emphasizing the need to engage in rhetorical debate and avoid self-censorship.
The State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, stated that due to privacy restrictions, the department cannot comment on individual employees. However, he reiterated the department’s opposition to antisemitism in any form, highlighting that Secretary Blinken and the special envoy to oppose antisemitism have publicly addressed this issue on several occasions.
This latest development comes after the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel, where thousands of lives were lost due to a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7. Berggren wrote a blog post titled “That Middle-East Thing…” on October 12, stating that the war is in their homelands, and they feel invaded and egged on by traitors and Jews who allegedly hate the White race. He described Whites who side with Jews as traitors to their ancestors.
The concerns surrounding Berggren’s antisemitic views have sparked a deepening conversation about the role of individuals with such beliefs within government institutions. This issue raises questions about the State Department’s hiring and vetting processes, as well as the importance of addressing and combating antisemitism in society.
Jamie Joseph, a writer who covers politics and leads digital coverage of the Senate, provides updates on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more politics content.
