A Department of Justice (DOJ) body held that an independent board that reviews disciplinary actions against U.S. diplomats should no longer have the final say in such matters.
The DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) found in a new legal opinion released on Aug. 21 that the current arrangement that gives the Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB) unchecked final authority over personnel decisions violates the Constitution.
The board may continue to hear cases, but its decisions will now serve only as recommendations, with the secretary of state having the last word.
“Accountability for American foreign policy flows from the people to the foreign service through the President, our elected official charged by the Constitution to conduct foreign affairs, and his Secretary of State,” said Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser, who signed the opinion….