Tyler Cherry, the former Interior Department communications director in the Biden administration, has been hired in a new role and will be working on communications inside the Biden White House. This appointment comes despite Cherry sparking controversy last year over social media posts attacking police, criticizing Republicans, and supporting the anti-Israel movement.
According to Politico, Cherry began his new role as an associate communications director at the White House last week, after serving over three years at the Interior Department under Secretary Deb Haaland. Cherry’s past social media activity has drawn criticism, with posts surfacing that display a clear animosity towards law enforcement and a promotion of “Russiagate” conspiracy theories.
In 2015, during the Baltimore riots sparked by the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, Cherry expressed his support for an end to a “capitalistic police state.” He went on to state 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 responsible for preventing cross-border crime and illegal immigration.
Cherry’s social media presence also reflects a pro-Palestinian stance. During the 2014 Gaza War, in which Palestinian forces, led by the radical Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas, launched hundreds of rockets into Israel, sparking a forceful Israeli response, Cherry posted multiple messages on social media in support of Palestine.
In one post from July 25, 2014, Cherry declared, “Cheersing in bars to ending the occupation of Palestine — no shame and f— your glares #ISupportGaza #FreePalestine.”
Cherry’s social media history also includes criticism of Republicans. In 2017, he asserted that conservatives in the Republican Party were focused on “white grievance politics,” stating that the Tea Party was not about the debt or deficit but about racism and white grievance politics.
Despite Cherry’s controversial past, the White House has defended his appointment. In a statement to Fox News Digital, White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said, “We’re very proud to have Tyler on the team.”
Cherry’s hiring has sparked concerns about the Biden administration’s commitment to law enforcement, its stance on Israel, and its tolerance of anti-Republican sentiment. It remains to be seen how Cherry’s past statements will impact his new role in the White House.
