A New York Times report reveals that a young State Department advisor directed U.S. policy supporting far-right groups and criticizing European regulations starting in 2025.
27-Year-Old Led Far-Right Outreach
Alex Samson, a former aide to Senator Ted Cruz and member of J.D. Vance’s American Moment organization, formally served as a senior advisor within the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. He internally renamed the unit the “Bureau of Natural Rights” due to objections to the concept of human rights.
Policy Focused on Supporting the Far-Right
According to the New York Times, Samson was responsible for implementing Washington’s policy of supporting the far-right and criticizing European regulations for most of 2025, following Sarah Rogers’ appointment as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy.
“A Voice for Christians and Conservatives”
Samson was considered an ideal candidate due to his commitment to Christianity, opposition to censorship, and views on European policy. Upon assuming his role, he reportedly told bureau staff he intended to “give a voice to Christians and conservatives” and instructed them to find ways to “punish” the European Union for restricting free speech.
Meetings with European Far-Right Politicians
The New York Times details Samson’s travels and meetings, including those with members of Germany’s Alternative for Germany, Beatrix von Storch and Joachim Paul, where politicians expressed concerns about potential party bans. U.S. diplomats condemned regulations on social media and censorship of conservatives during these meetings.
Discussions with Farage and Le Pen
In March 2025, Samson attended a private breakfast in London with Nigel Farage to discuss abortion and censorship. In May, he traveled to Paris to attempt to convince a human rights commission that Marine Le Pen, the French far-right leader convicted of embezzling funds from the European Parliament, was unjustly persecuted.
Visits to Orbán’s Hungary and Beyond
Samson’s travels extended to Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic. A joint trip with Rogers to London in December saw Rogers sharply criticize migration levels in the UK, falsely linking migrants to rising crime rates, and criticizing the police for arresting a comedian critical of transgender rights advocacy.
Limited Impact of U.S. Policy
The New York Times notes that the U.S. policy has yielded few concrete results so far—Viktor Orbán lost the election, and Le Pen remains excluded from elections—and that, due to Trump’s unpopularity on the continent, far-right parties are largely distancing themselves from the United States.
