Controversy Surrounds White House Communications Official Tyler Cherry

A newly appointed White House communications official has responded after a political firestorm erupted over controversial social media posts he made years ago. Tyler Cherry, who was recently promoted to associate communications director in the Biden administration, faced scrutiny following the circulation of his past posts on X, formerly known as Twitter. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, have expressed concern over his previous statements regarding law enforcement and immigration policies, raising questions about his current role in the administration.

The controversy gained traction shortly after Politico reported on Cherry's promotion from his previous position as communications director at the Interior Department. Posts dating back to 2014 and 2015 began to resurface online, showcasing strong criticisms of law enforcement, calls for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and expressions of support for anti-Israel organizations. These revelations have prompted significant backlash and calls for accountability within the Biden administration.

As pressure mounted, Cherry took to X to address the uproar. He stated that his past social media posts do not reflect his current views and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Biden administration's agenda, particularly in the areas of climate and environmental policies. Importantly, the controversial posts are no longer visible on his current X account, as any posts predating April 2022 appear to have been deleted, leading to speculation about the authenticity of the screenshots that have circulated.

Facing mounting pressure, Cherry took to X on Sunday to address the controversy. "Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views. Period," he stated. Cherry went on to reaffirm his support for the Biden administration's agenda, emphasizing his focus on climate and environmental policies.

Newsweek contacted the White House via email for further comment on Sunday night. Notably, these posts are no longer visible on Cherry's current X account. Any posts on his account predating April 2022 appear to have been deleted, making it impossible to independently verify the screenshots that have been circulating. The handle @TylerACherry seen in the screenshots matches Cherry's current X account name.

In one of the purported messages from 2015, posted during the unrest following Freddie Gray's death in police custody, Cherry allegedly wrote: "Praying for #Baltimore, but praying even harder for an end to a capitalistic police state motivated by explicit and implicit racial biases." Another post from the same period reportedly stated: "Time to recall that the modern-day police system is a direct evolution of slave patrols and lynch mobs."

The posts also touched on major international issues. During the 2014 Gaza War, Cherry allegedly expressed support for Palestine, writing: "Cheersing in bars to ending the occupation of Palestine — no shame and f— your glares #ISupportGaza #FreePalestine."

Cherry's professional background includes three years of service at the Interior Department under Secretary Deb Haaland before his recent promotion to the White House. He is also known for his LGBTQ+ rights activism and involvement in Washington, D.C.'s creative community.

Conservative commentators have seized on the old posts, questioning Cherry's fitness for his current role and criticizing the Biden administration's hiring decision. Some argue that the posts reflect a broader ideological stance within the administration, while others view them as youthful indiscretions that should not overshadow Cherry's professional qualifications.

X user Ashley St. Clair replied to Cherry's post by asking: "That's really awesome to hear Tyler— could you elaborate on what views are different and which one of these past posts do not reflect your current views?" She also posted a screenshot of alleged past messages from the staffer.

Another X user named Corey A. DeAngelis inquired: "Why did you just delete this tweet?" shortly after Cherry posted his response. For now, the Biden administration appears to be standing firm in its support of Cherry. White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Fox News Digital: "We're very proud to have Tyler on the team."

This support echoes the administration's response to previous attacks on Cherry, who is gay and faced criticism for his appearance and professional demeanor in October of last year.

Update 6/24/2024 6:45 a.m. ET: The headline has changed.