Donald Trump‘s appointee as acting Director of National Intelligence, Richard Grenell, has left his position just four months after his appointment. Grenell was the first openly gay man to serve in the role and the highest-ranking openly gay man within the Trump Administration.
Grenell took over the position in February 2020 after then-Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire allowed a subordinate to testify before the House of Representatives that Russia had tried to aid the Trump campaign in the 2020 election. Trump fired Maguire, replacing him with Grenell. Prior to his brief stint as Director of National Intelligence, Grenell served as US Ambassador to Germany.
Related: Trump makes Richard Grenell first openly gay cabinet member in history
As Director of National Intelligence, Grenell led efforts by the United States to decriminalize homosexuality abroad–an effort at odds with the Trump White House’s ardent anti-queer domestic policies.
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Like so many of Trump’s appointees, Grenell’s career has also been the subject of controversy. Sen. Susan Collins criticized his appointment as acting Director of National Intelligence over a lack of experience, and in the past, Grenell has also acted as a lobbyist on behalf of Moldovan politician Vladimir Plahotniuc. He also has made fun of the looks of female politicians including Hillary Clinton on social media, and as recently as Monday tweeted praise for Trump for tear-gassing a group of peaceful protesters at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Grenell’s appointment was never meant to be a lasting one. The Senate has confirmed U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence, forcing Grenell’s resignation. Meanwhile, The Advocate reports that Grenell has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Mister P
Maybe he grew a pair.
Den
The article refers to his appointment as being temporary (he was appointed as acting Director). He resigned when a permanent Director was found).
They apparently hated him in Germany as Ambassador. But then Trump has a well known habit of appointing those who neither have qualifications not capabilities for the positions. His major desire is to find those who will simply do his bidding with no mind of their own.
Cam
Does he put on heels and a wig before he tap dances for the other Republicans or does he just get on all fours in meetings and play the part of a coffee table for them to put their feet on?
ScottOnEarth
Perfect, comment, Cam.
BlueStateMan
I will never understand how a gay man can work for an administration that loathes him. I have zero respect for someone who will grovel at the feet of so many people that can’t stand to even be in the same room with him. Sad.
Wicked Dickie
He’s white first, gay second. That’s why.
taylor94
Well, I’m no fan of this two faced sellout. But this story is misleading . From the beginning, it was public knowledge that this was a temporary position until it could be filled by someone with better qualifications. There are countless examples of Trump destroying our country . No need to fuel so called conservatives with fake news here.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Forgive me but where is the story? His taking the job knowing that he would be replaced as soon as someone suitable for it was found leads me to find it very hard to believe he didn’t know he was a token to be used for no other reason than for Trump to say he has nothing against gays when he opens his mouth at the convention. Its hard to believe a fifth grade educated skid row prostitute couldn’t have figured that out. I do hope the door hit him on the way out.
StrummerJones
Once again the headline here is misleading. He didn’t resign due to “national chaos”, or anything like a crisis of conscious (when will those gay Republicans wake up?)…he was basically pushed aside. A place holder. Nothing more. Ho Hum.
TonyPSP
This is not a story. Grenell is sellout to the gay community. That is the story. Trump’s fake gay support may have worked for some in 2016 but not in 2020. Anyone that supports Trump after his flip flop on gay issues is a sellout. Hell I would vote for Stormy Danials before I’d vote for Trump. BIDEN 2020.
James
He sounds like a horrible sick uptight creep. MAY HE ROT.
one more thing
He did a great job and will be greatly missed! Hot husband too…..
Thad
The Germans would disagree.
Sven
What exactly was a great job he did? Here in Germany we took a sigh of relief when he got the return to sender. He acted as a bully just like his boss.
okiloki
He isn’t too bright if he is working for the administration that will ban him and his husband from adopting.
SportGuy
Who cares, this guy was an idiot to work for that disgusting orange russian puppet