US Lawmakers Demand Action Against Targeting of American Personnel in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, November 7, 2025
A bipartisan group of US senators and representatives is urging the State Department to take immediate action against Georgian officials for what they describe as "anti-American activity" and the unfair targeting of former American personnel. The concerns were detailed in a letter sent on November 5, 2025, to Secretary Rubio.
The letter's authors, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Roger Wicker, wrote to advocate on behalf of former United States personnel, specifically former USAID Foreign Service Nationals or FSNs, who they say have been "unfairly targeted by Georgian officials." The lawmakers contend that while Georgian authorities, led by the ruling Georgian Dream party, have proclaimed a desire to rebuild the relationship with the United States, their actions indicate the contrary.
The controversy stems from an October 1 media report in which Mamuka Mdinaradze, Head of the State Security Service of Georgia, accused the US government of trying to spark a revolution by providing "payments" to FSNs. The congressional signatories clarified that these payments were actually termination or pension payments required under Georgian law. "This mischaracterization is putting FSNs in harm's way," the letter stated.
The lawmakers argued that the public statements serve as an "important data point" demonstrating that Georgian Dream "has demonstrated no serious intent of seeking to improve bilateral relations with the United States." They are requesting the State Department to seek formal assurances from the Georgian government that US personnel will not be maligned or targeted.
They also welcomed the State Department's decision to request a meeting with the Georgian Ambassador to the United States regarding the matter, but requested further action. The letter calls for the Trump Administration to address the narrative, which "poses a danger to U.S. personnel in Georgia and sets a concerning precedent for other foreign governments." Furthermore, the congressional leaders stressed the broader impact, warning that if the US does not defend its personnel from attacks by a foreign government, it "will limit our ability to recruit personnel and carry out the policy of the United States around the world." They urged the Secretary to denounce the attacks and push back vigorously.
