BenFranklinFellowship

A non-partisan network of U.S. diplomats and foreign affairs professionals committed to the national interest, American sovereignty, and secure borders.

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

VIDEO: Introducing The Ben Franklin Fellowship -- Diplomacy Rooted in the Republic. In Service to America.

Nearly 250 years after Benjamin Franklin became America’s first diplomat, his legacy continues through The Ben Franklin Fellowship. This five-minute video overview introduces BFF — a nonprofit, nonpartisan community of current and former State Department professionals and foreign affairs practitioners committed to advancing the U.S. national interest and restoring realism in American diplomacy.

Premiered at the Second Annual Ben Franklin Reception & Dinner at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., on January 16, 2026, this video features remarks and interview segments with BFF Co-Founders Phillip Linderman, Matt Boyse, and Simon Hankinson outlining the vision behind the organization. Through its Guiding Foreign Policy Principles, specialized working groups, and the JUNTO Project, BFF is building a durable network dedicated to principled, accountable, and effective diplomacy for the next generation. Watch here:
https://t.co/s4JmQrWVfs

#AmericanDiplomacy #ForeignPolicy #StateDepartment #NationalInterest #PublicPolicy #Diplomacy #Leadership #JUNTO

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

Mass migration destabilizes nations. US foreign policy now prioritizes curbing open borders. A critical global imperative for the 21st century. BFF Fellow and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau discusses why addressing migration pressures, strengthening border security, and promoting stability abroad have become central priorities in U.S. foreign policy.
Watch the full clip BFF Short here: https://t.co/cW1OvYencw

#BenFranklinFellowship #ChristopherLandau #ForeignPolicy #Migration #BorderSecurity #StateDepartment #NationalInterest #Diplomacy #AmericaFirstDiplomacy #USForeignPolicy

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, it is worth remembering that our nation's founding was shaped not only by soldiers and statesmen, but also by diplomacy. Benjamin Franklin — obviously The Ben Franklin Fellowship's namesake — helped secure critical international support for the American cause and played a pivotal role in establishing the United States on the world stage. Today, generations of dedicated Foreign Service professionals continue that tradition of service by advancing American interests around the globe.

THE BEN FRANKLIN FELLOWSHIP: Diplomacy Rooted in the Republic. In Service to America. 🇺🇸

#America250 #BenjaminFranklin #Diplomacy #ForeignService #AmericanDiplomacy #PublicService #BenFranklinFellowship

[Department of State @StateDept]

Benjamin Franklin was a founding father, a scientist, and an inventor. He was also America’s first diplomat. Without his diplomacy, the United States would not exist.

Become a part of the legacy. Join the United States Foreign Service: https://t.co/hXZDpR29FE

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

New Book from BFF Member James W. Carden -- "The Great Betrayal: How the Democrats Became the Party of War" examines the evolution of U.S. foreign policy, interventionism, and America's role in the world. Available for pre-order now: https://t.co/VGRoRmKVR3
#BFFMembers #JamesCarden #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #NationalSecurity #BookRelease

[Department of State @StateDept]

🇺🇸⚽ As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will drive economic growth and tourism in the United States, supporting our local businesses and communities. This is a unique opportunity to showcase American excellence, innovation, and hospitality on the world stage.

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

Diplomacy, Defense, and Debt: A Conversation with @SenJoniErnst Senator Joni Ernst
Join The Ben Franklin Fellowship and The Bastion Institute for a special JUNTO Morning Fireside Chat with Senator Joni Ernst, hosted by BFF Co-Founder @Matt_Boyse.
June 18, 2026 from 7:45–9:00 AM
Hudson Institute, Washington, DC
Register is required: https://t.co/EWSgRENZZO
#JoniErnst #ForeignPolicy #NationalSecurity #Diplomacy #Defense #DOGE

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

BFF Fellow Victoria Coates...

[Victoria Coates @VictoriaCoates]

Always fun to join @larry_kudlow on @FoxBusiness to talk about how President Trump brought another 100 million barrels of oil out of the Gulf, how strikes on IRGC infrastructure weaken the regime and why the mullahs should stop reading the @nytimes: https://t.co/i9t10CDGeT

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

Africa's Next World War? BFF Fellow Ambassador Alberto Fernandez examines rising tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Nile River, water security, and regional power competition. A timely analysis of one of Africa's most important geopolitical flashpoints:
https://t.co/9jUIgYauaB

#BFFellows #Africa #Ethiopia #Egypt #NileRiver #GERD #ForeignPolicy #Geopolitics

[Department of State @StateDept]

American diplomats champion freedom, secure our nation, and always put America and Americans first.

Join us in celebrating our people, our story, and 250 years of American diplomacy.🦅

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

NEW in @amconmag: BFF Chairman @PhillipLinderm2 examines the Manuel Rocha spy case, espionage, security clearances, and questions of conflicted loyalty in government service. "The Rocha Spy Case: Espionage and Conflicted Loyalty" - The Trump administration must require that dual-national officials renounce any second citizenship as a condition of holding a security clearance. Read more:
https://t.co/XDDUhhKxVr

THE BEN FRANKLIN FELLOWSHIP: Diplomacy Rooted in the Republic. In Service to America. 🇺🇸

#BenFranklinFellowship #NationalSecurity #StateDepartment #ForeignPolicy

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

Visa Fraud & U.S. Diplomacy -- BFF Chairman Phil @PhillipLinderm2 Linderman argues that the State Department should take the diplomatic offensive against nations that enable widespread visa fraud—including curtailing visa services rather than addressing cases one at a time. Watch the BFF Short:
https://t.co/fouzDLlxgU

#BenFranklinFellowship #VisaFraud #StateDepartment #ForeignPolicy

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

BFF Fellow Paul du Quenoy Addresses European Security and the Iran Conflict in Budapest, at Hungary’s Ludovika University of Public at an event titled “The War in Iran - Strategic Shockwaves: Implications for Europe.” Paul’s remarks noted that diplomacy will probably not resolve the conflict between the U.S. and Iran and again exposed severe deficiencies in European security policy.

#BenFranklinFellowship #ForeignPolicy #NationalSecurity #Europe #Iran #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #Hungary #Geopolitics

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

BFF Co-Founder Simon Hankinson @WatchfulWaiter1 (affirmative) debated George Mason economist Bryan Caplan (negative) on whether ICE should complete its mandate to deport all illegal aliens residing in the United States. Drawing on decades of diplomatic and immigration-policy experience, Simon changed the most audience votes and won the debate.
Watch the full debate:
https://t.co/VfmGTaK9Pp

#BenFranklinFellowship #ImmigrationPolicy #BorderSecurity #NationalSecurity

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

NEW from @CIS_org: BFF Fellow Mahvash Siddiqui examines the court's rejection of the proposed $100,000 H-1B fee and its implications for immigration policy, labor markets, and national security in a new article. Drawing on her experience as a former U.S. Consular Officer in Chennai, she offers a firsthand perspective on this important policy debate.
https://t.co/JWnDFE50Bx

#BenFranklinFellowship #H1B #ImmigrationPolicy #NationalSecurity

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

🚨 TOMORROW IN WASHINGTON, DC 🚨
Our friends at the Center for Immigration Studies will host CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott for an Immigration Newsmaker discussion on border security, immigration enforcement, cartel activity, and national security.
📅 June 9, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM ET
📍 National Press Club
🎥 Livestream: https://t.co/MhwfXopyN1

#BorderSecurity #Immigration #CBP #NationalSecurity #CIS #BenFranklinFellowship

[Center for Immigration Studies @CIS_org]

The Center for Immigration Studies invites you to watch or attend an Immigration Newsmaker featuring @CBPCommissioner Rodney Scott on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. https://t.co/Ry6zwCTsmu

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

TONIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY — THE SOHO FORUM
@WatchfulWaiter1 Simon Hankinson vs. Bryan Caplan
Immigration • ICE • Border Security
BFF Co-Founder and Board Member Simon Hankinson, Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation and former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, takes the stage tonight to debate economist Bryan Caplan on the resolution: "Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should complete its mandate to deport all illegal aliens currently residing in the United States."
The Sheen Center, New York City / 6:30 PM ET
Livestream: https://t.co/Mzyv434NtV

#Immigration #ICE #BorderSecurity #ForeignPolicy #HeritageFoundation #SohoForum #BenFranklinFellowship

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

94% of State Department Political Donations Went to Kamala Harris.  Foreign Service Has Become a Haven for Leftists. In his new Washington Times op-ed, BFF Fellow Michael McKenna writes that The Ben Franklin Fellowship is one of the few organized efforts in recent memory working to restore balance, realism, meritocracy, and service to the national interest within American diplomacy.  As McKenna concludes: "As such, it is very welcome and long overdue."  Read more:
https://t.co/fxBL68TPbB
#ForeignPolicy #StateDepartment #AmericaFirst #Diplomacy #BenFranklinFellowship

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

"My role is selling America." - BFF Fellow @NickAdamsinUSA continues to champion American exceptionalism on the world stage. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Nick discusses his role as President Trump's Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism, Exceptionalism, and Values, promoting the United States ahead of America's 250th Anniversary, the FIFA World Cup, and other major international events. A legal immigrant, bestselling author, and unapologetic patriot, Nick shares why he believes America remains the greatest destination for opportunity, freedom, and human achievement.  
Read more here:  https://t.co/kp4zy4Q5Vi

#America250 #AmericanExceptionalism #Diplomacy #Tourism #MAGA #BenFranklinFellowship

[Simon Hankinson @WatchfulWaiter1]

Ron Hira, Norman Matloff, and many others wrote about how the H-1B really works for decades. I wrote my first diplomatic cable about fraud in the program in 2000. I wrote the report below last year. In the quarter century between, it only got worse.

[BenFranklinFellowship @BFranklinFellow]

@DrJPPham @PhillipLinderm2 Thank you again Ambassador Pham!! This is a great podcast episode!!