Despite controversial social media posts, former Interior Department communications director Tyler Cherry has been hired as an associate communications director at the White House.
Despite previous controversies, the Biden administration has appointed Tyler Cherry, a former Interior Department communications director, as an associate communications director at the White House. Cherry's appointment has raised eyebrows due to his history of inflammatory social media posts attacking police, criticizing Republicans, and supporting the anti-Israel movement.
In 2015, Cherry posted a message on social media amid riots following the death of Freddie Gray, a Black man, in police custody in Baltimore. "Praying for #Baltimore, but praying even harder for an end to a capitalistic police state motivated by explicit and implicit racial biases," he wrote.
Biden's Staffer with Checkered Past Hired in White House
Cherry also posted in 2015, "Apt (sic.) time to recall that the modern day police system is a direct evolution of slave patrols and lynch mobs."
In 2018, Cherry called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Homeland Security Department agency tasked with preventing cross-border crime and illegal immigration.
Biden's Staffer with Checkered Past Hired in White House
Cherry also posted support for "Palestine" on social media in 2014 during the Gaza War, in which Palestinian forces led by Hamas launched hundreds of rockets into Israel. "Cheersing in bars to ending the occupation of Palestine — no shame and f--- your glares #ISupportGaza #FreePalestine," he posted.
Cherry has also criticized Republicans on social media, including in 2017 when he said that conservatives in the Republican Party were focused on "white grievance politics."
Biden's Staffer with Checkered Past Hired in White House
Some critics have questioned whether Cherry's past statements are compatible with the values of the Biden administration. However, White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates defended the appointment, stating, "We're very proud to have Tyler on the team."
Cherry's appointment underscores the increasingly polarized political climate in the United States, where individuals with strong and often divisive opinions are frequently hired by both parties to promote their agendas.
Biden's Staffer with Checkered Past Hired in White House
It remains to be seen whether Cherry's past statements will continue to generate controversy or whether he will be able to focus on his work at the White House without further incident. His presence in the Biden administration is likely to be a reminder of the deep divisions that exist within American society today.
Additionally, Cherry's appointment highlights the importance of social media posts and online activity in shaping public perception. In an era where social media is increasingly used for political discourse, individuals must carefully consider what they post online, as it can have long-term consequences.
