Democrats are never ever going to give up on DEI, regardless of how ridiculous it gets. Sen. Ed Markey drew criticism Tuesday after urging applicants from particular racial and demographic groups to seek internships in his Boston office, prompting Republican Rep. Brandon Gill to question whether white men were welcome to apply.
The Massachusetts Democrat’s recruitment post singled out BIPOC, LGBTQ+, working-class and veteran applicants with Massachusetts ties for the spring 2027 semester. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and people of color.
“I’m hiring motivated and eager interns for the Spring 2027 semester in my Boston office,” Markey wrote. “BIPOC, LGBTQ+, working class, veterans, and other underrepresented candidates with Massachusetts ties are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Monday, November 9th.”
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.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) October 13, 2026
Gill, a Texas Republican, challenged the announcement on Twitter: “Are white men allowed to apply, senator?” Other critics accused Markey of promoting discriminatory hiring practices by highlighting race and sexual orientation in recruiting for a taxpayer-funded office. The post encouraged the listed groups to apply but did not expressly exclude other applicants.
Are white men allowed to apply, Senator? https://t.co/ck60PSQUgM
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) October 13, 2026
Similar language appears on Markey’s official internship page, including in listings for his Washington office. Those postings sit alongside a statement that the office “is an equal employment opportunity employer in accordance with the requirements of Senate Rules and Regulations and applicable federal laws.” The Boston program also lists writing, research and interpersonal skills among its qualifications and welcomes students from all fields of study.
One critic made a point closer to home for Markey:
You'll notice it's never "I'm resigning my Senate seat because white men have too much power" or "I'm donating my house to reduce the racial wealth gap." That would at least be a personal decision. But no—the white male sacrificial burden is always foisted upon someone else. https://t.co/m1B6drRaLd
— Bernard Stanford ✡︎ (@stanfordNYC) October 13, 2026
Markey’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation. The outlet reported that the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also did not respond to its inquiries, while the office of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon declined to comment.
The recruitment language predates Tuesday’s dispute. Markey used a similar appeal in a July 2025 internship announcement, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation, and his current listings continue to encourage applications from the same communities. Neither the announcement nor the cited reporting establishes that applicants outside those groups were rejected because of their race or sexual orientation.
