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

A Democratic senator is facing accusations of racial and sexual discrimination over a controversial social media post encouraging members of minority groups to apply for a role in his office.

"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," Sen.

Ed Markey, D-Mass., posted to X on Tuesday.

"Are white men allowed to apply, Senator?" Rep.

Brandon Gill, R-Texas, shot back on X Tuesday .

DEI HIRING BOOST FOR ONE BLUE STATE'S MUSLIM COMMISSION INITIATIVE FLIES IN FACE OF TRUMP'S ANTI-WOKE PUSH Conservatives on X erupted with anger over the post, with some going as far as to claim the senator’s job posting was illegal.

"Crazy that a United States Senator can openly violate civil rights law on Twitter," conservative activist Chris Rufo wrote.

"This is blatantly illegal," Katie Miller, podcaster and wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, wrote .

NEW YORK TIMES SUED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER ALLEGED 'DEI-RELATED' EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated in past guidance that encouraging applicants from certain backgrounds to apply for a job does not necessarily violate federal discrimination law.

However, the agency also warns that job advertisements expressing preferences based on race, sex or other protected characteristics may be unlawful.

The Congressional Accountability Act also applies federal workplace discrimination protections to congressional offices.

The actual job posting on Markey’s Senate website does not bar White people from applying, despite questions raised by Gill and others about whether certain applicants were being favored.

Other conservatives stopped short of accusing Markey of breaking the law, but characterized his hiring practices as unjust nonetheless.