Dem senator's hiring announcement sparks GOP eruption over who is encouraged to apply: 'Blatantly illegal'

Senator Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, drew sharp criticism from Republicans and conservative commentators after his office advertised internships for the Spring 2027 semester in Boston. Markey's online announcement singled out several groups, including veterans, working-class people and LGBTQ+ and BIPOC applicants, as especially welcome, provided they have ties to Massachusetts. Critics said that wording discriminates against others, according to Fox News.

Representative Brandon Gill, a Texas Republican, asked Markey whether white men could apply. Activist Chris Rufo said a senator was flouting civil rights law, and podcaster Katie Miller, who is married to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, called the post "blatantly illegal." Some other conservatives held back from alleging a legal violation but still called the approach unfair.

The legal picture is less clear-cut. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance has indicated that urging people from particular backgrounds to apply is not automatically unlawful, though ads signaling a preference tied to race, sex or other protected traits can be. Congressional offices fall under federal workplace anti-discrimination rules through the Congressional Accountability Act. The listing on Markey's Senate website itself contains no bar on white applicants.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →