The Trump administration has faced backlash for appointing Darren Beattie, a former White House staffer with white nationalist ties, to a senior State Department role. Beattie, who was fired in 2018 for speaking at a conference of white nationalists, has been chosen as acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs. This appointment has drawn criticism due to Beattie's track record of associating with white supremacists, promoting conspiracy theories, and making derogatory comments about women and minorities.