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A senior official at the State Department has recently come under scrutiny for deleting numerous tweets that mocked his current boss, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Among the removed posts were comments labeling Rubio as “low IQ” and circulating unverified rumors regarding his sexual orientation.
The tweets from Darren Beattie, who serves as the acting under secretary of state for public diplomacy, came to light through a CNN investigation into his social media activity. These tweets showcased a pattern of disparagement and hostility aimed at Rubio.
Beattie’s controversial tenure began when he lost his position as a speechwriter in the Trump administration after CNN revealed his attendance at a conference featuring White nationalists. Over the years, he has also made derogatory remarks about various Republicans, including a series of offensive, homophobic, and racist comments.
Despite leaving several inflammatory posts intact, Beattie has seemingly removed any tweets expressing animosity toward Rubio, especially following Rubio’s vote to certify the results of the 2020 election and his condemnation of the Capitol Riot on January 6, 2021. One now-deleted tweet criticized Rubio for his stance on potential Russian actions in Ukraine.
After being dismissed from the Trump administration, Beattie founded Revolver News, a far-right media outlet known for propagating conspiracy theories linked to the January 6 events. This platform has promoted false narratives, suggesting federal involvement in and orchestration of the riot.
In a removed tweet from the day Roe v. Wade was reversed, Revolver News controversially suggested violence against women seeking abortions, stating that it was now permissible to shoot them in New York City with a concealed carry permit.
The appointment of Beattie has sparked significant backlash, particularly among congressional Democrats, who have called for his removal due to his history of derogatory and misogynistic tweets, as well as posts that dismiss the Uyghur genocide in China—many of which remain on his public account.
When questioned by CNN, Beattie stated, “Secretary Rubio is 100 percent America First and it’s a tremendous honor to work for him in advancing President Trump’s world historical agenda.”
Rubio has refrained from commenting on the disparaging remarks made by Beattie. He mentioned that Beattie’s role would focus on issues related to online censorship and clarified that Beattie will not be put forward for the permanent position, which requires Senate confirmation.
Beattie holds a position that is critical within the State Department, acting as the chief advisor to the secretary of state on public affairs and public diplomacy. His responsibilities encompass overseeing the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which manages educational, professional, and cultural exchange programs that promote U.S. interests, including various exchange programs and Fulbright scholarships.
The situation surrounding Beattie’s position underscores theambivalence in Rubio’s evolving relationship with the administration. Once a prominent critic of Trump and an advocate for more traditional Republican ideals, Rubio is now engaging with individuals who have publicly disparaged him.
In one of Beattie’s deleted tweets from January 7, 2021, he perpetuated far-right conspiracy theory surrounding Rubio’s past, mentioning “Wainwright Park”and making insinuations about Rubio’s sexual orientation based on his youth. He dismissed Rubio’s prior hawkishness and suggested that Rubio’s new stance on China was a means to regain credibility.
Beattie has variously characterized Rubio’s political maneuvers as unreliable, even questioning his future in politics. This series of critical remarks raises questions about the viability of Beattie’s tenure under a boss he once mocked.
As the dynamics within the administration continue to unfold, the relationship between Beattie and Rubio embodies the complexities of political allegiances and the shifting landscape of party loyalty.
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www.yahoo.com