Darren Beattie Appointed Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
Darren Beattie, a former Trump speechwriter who was fired in 2018 for speaking at a conference attended by white nationalists, has been appointed acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the State Department. This role is responsible for shaping US messaging abroad related to counterterrorism and violent extremism.
Beattie's appointment has drawn criticism due to his history of making racist and misogynistic remarks, as well as promoting conspiracy theories about the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. He has also expressed support for white nationalist figures and defended his speech at the H.L. Mencken Club, which has included white nationalist figures such as Richard Spencer and Peter Brimelow.
Beattie's appointment signals a shift in the Trump administration's approach to diplomacy, which is likely to become more confrontational and inflammatory. He has repeatedly attacked US allies and promoted conspiracy theories, which could damage the United States' reputation on the world stage.
It remains to be seen whether the administration will nominate Beattie for the position beyond the acting role. However, his appointment has already raised concerns about the direction of US foreign policy under the Trump administration.