A White House official who was recently promoted has deleted thousands of tweets after they came under fire for attacking police, criticizing Republicans, and spewing anti-Israel rhetoric.
Tyler Cherry, who was promoted earlier this month as an associate communications director at the White House, has deleted almost 2,500 posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, according to the Social Blade analytics website. The deletions came after a social media firestorm erupted over Cherry's old posts.
In his tweets, Cherry attacked police, saying they are a "direct evolution of slave patrols and lynch mobs." He also criticized Republicans, saying they are focused on "white grievance politics." Additionally, he spewed anti-Israel rhetoric, saying he supports ending the occupation of Palestine.
Biden Official Deletes Tweets After Promotion Sparked Controversy
The deletions came after several of Cherry's most controversial posts were highlighted in a Fox News Digital report on Friday. The White House has not responded to an inquiry about the deleted tweets.
However, White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the White House was "very proud to have Tyler on the team."
Biden Official Deletes Tweets After Promotion Sparked Controversy
Cherry has defended his old posts, saying they do not reflect his current views.
"Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views," Cherry wrote on X. "Period. I support this Administration's agenda – and will continue my communications work focused on our climate and environmental policies."
Biden Official Deletes Tweets After Promotion Sparked Controversy
However, his critics say his old posts show that he is not fit to serve in the Biden administration.
"Tyler Cherry's deleted tweets are a clear indication that he is not fit to serve in the Biden administration," said former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins (R). "His attacks on police and Republicans are dangerous and divisive."
Former Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy (D) also criticized Cherry's old posts, saying they are "unacceptable."
"Tyler Cherry's old posts are unacceptable," Murphy said. "The Biden administration should denounce his views and take steps to ensure that he is not in a position to influence policy."
It remains to be seen whether the Biden administration will take any action against Cherry. However, the controversy over his old posts has cast a shadow over his promotion.
In addition to his deleted tweets, Cherry has also been criticized for his support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories. Cherry has said that he supports BDS because it is a "nonviolent way to advocate for Palestinian rights."
However, critics of BDS say that it is a discriminatory movement that unfairly targets Israel. They also say that BDS is ineffective and does not help to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The controversy over Cherry's old posts and his support for BDS has raised questions about the Biden administration's commitment to Israel. The Biden administration has said that it is committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that it supports Israel's right to defend itself. However, the administration has also been critical of Israel's settlement policy and its treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories.
It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will balance its commitment to Israel with its concerns about its policies. However, the controversy over Cherry's old posts has shown that the issue of Israel is a complex one that will continue to challenge the administration.
In addition to his old posts and his support for BDS, Cherry has also been criticized for his lack of experience in communications. Cherry has never worked in a communications role in the private sector or in a political campaign. He has also never held a position at the White House or in any other government agency.
Some critics have said that Cherry's lack of experience makes him unqualified to serve as an associate communications director at the White House. They say that he does not have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively communicate the administration's policies to the public.
However, the White House has defended Cherry's appointment, saying that he is a "talented communicator" who is "well-suited" for the role. The White House has also said that Cherry has the "experience and qualifications" necessary to do the job.
It remains to be seen whether Cherry will be able to overcome the criticism and succeed in his new role. However, the controversy over his old posts and his lack of experience has shown that he will face a number of challenges in the coming months.
