GOP Rep. Byron Donalds voices opposition to Darren Beattie’s potential State Department appointment, sparking debate on ideological conflicts in public office selections.
At a Glance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to appoint Darren Beattie as Acting Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy
- Beattie, a former Trump speechwriter, has stirred controversy with past statements
- Rep. Byron Donalds expressed concerns about Beattie’s potential appointment on HBO’s “Real Time”
- The appointment signals a shift towards the “new right” in the administration
- Beattie’s role would involve overseeing American public diplomacy and the department spokesperson’s office
Controversial Appointment Sparks Debate
In a move that has ignited controversy within political circles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to appoint Darren Beattie as Acting Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy. Beattie, a former speechwriter for President Donald Trump and founder of the site Revolver, has been a vocal critic of American foreign policy and has drawn attention for his controversial views.
The potential appointment has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, with GOP Rep. Byron Donalds openly expressing his concerns during an appearance on HBO’s “Real Time.” The controversy stems from Beattie’s past statements and associations, including a tweet that host Bill Maher brought to light during the show.
Donalds Voices Opposition
During the “Real Time” segment, Maher quoted a controversial tweet attributed to Beattie: “Competent white men must be in charge if you want things to work.” When confronted with this statement, Rep. Donalds was quick to distance himself from such sentiments.
“I don’t agree with that. I don’t agree with it,” Rep. Byron Donalds said.
When pressed further about whether he supports Beattie’s appointment, Donalds expressed his reservations more explicitly.
“No, I’m very concerned about that,” Rep. Byron Donalds said.
A Shift Towards the “New Right”
Despite the controversy, Beattie’s potential appointment is seen by some as a strategic move to align with MAGA supporters. Steve Bannon, former Trump adviser, praised Beattie’s credentials and what his appointment would symbolize.
“Darren personifies the America First Right — smart, tough, relentless — with a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude. He made Revolver a major player in the frontal attack on the Deep State,” the former Trump adviser Steve Bannon said in a text message. “As important as his agency will be in the building at ‘Foggy Bottom’, the symbolism of his hire by POTUS screams: ‘We Don’t Give 2 F****x’ for convention.”
Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative commentator, has also weighed in on Beattie, describing him as “decent and genuinely smart.” However, not all reactions have been positive. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, called the potential appointment “outrageous,” highlighting the divisive nature of Beattie’s candidacy.
If appointed, Beattie would oversee American public diplomacy and the department spokesperson’s office, a role crucial for shaping the nation’s image abroad. His background, including a PhD in political theory from Duke University and his previous appointment by Trump to the Commission for the Preservation of American Heritage Abroad, suggests a mix of academic credentials and political alignment with the previous administration.
