Senator Ed Markey Faces Backlash Over Internship Post
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) recently drew criticism for a message he shared about hiring interns, specifically encouraging applications from “BIPOC” (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LGBTQ+, and “other underrepresented candidates.” It seems his intent was to foster diversity, but the approach didn’t sit well with everyone.
In a post on X, he mentioned that “working class” individuals and veterans were also welcome to apply for a spring 2027 internship. Markey expressed, “I’m hiring motivated and eager interns for the Spring 2027 semester in my Boston office. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, working class, veterans, and other underrepresented candidates with Massachusetts ties are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Monday, November 9th.”
However, the announcement sparked various reactions. Some commentators argued that it was alarming for a U.S. senator to seemingly violate civil rights laws on social media. Notably, Christopher Rufo from City Journal remarked on Twitter that it was “crazy” for a senator to act this way.
Others raised questions about the applicability of such criteria, with Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) directly asking if white men were permitted to apply. This specific question seemed to encapsulate the concerns surrounding the Senator’s selective approach.
Blake Neff, co-host of The Charlie Kirk Show, criticized the Democratic Party’s sentiments toward “ordinary young white men,” while Parker Thayer from the Capital Research Center suggested that there would be celebrations at Harmeet Dhillon’s office over this controversy, implying that Markey had stepped into a significant legal fallout.
Moreover, Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, took to social media to comment on the clarity of Markey’s hiring preferences. He pointed out that it appeared to be a transparent dismissal of certain candidates. Nick Sortor, a conservative journalist, provocatively stated that it might have been simpler for Markey to explicitly state, “straight White men need not apply.”
In the job listing shared by Markey’s office, the ideal candidates are described as “highly motivated individuals who possess strong writing, research and interpersonal skills.” The posting additionally notes a preference for applicants with backgrounds in fields such as political science, international relations, environmental studies, liberal arts, and communications.
Interestingly, the job posting also affirms that Markey’s office complies with equal employment opportunity guidelines as required by Senate regulations and federal laws, which adds another layer to the ongoing discussion.
