Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said on a radio show Wednesday that he would accept a position as an assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security. The job is a senior position that involves coordinating outreach to local law enforcement agencies. "I'm both honored and humbled to be appointed to this position, working for the Trump administration," Clarke said.
Related: Doubling as immigration officers, sheriffs applaud Trump's order
Clarke has been one of the more controversial figures to have gained notoriety during Donald Trump's political ascension. Known for wearing a large cowboy hat, Clarke has been an outspoken critic of the Black Lives Matter movement, going so far as to call those protesting Michael Brown's death in Freguson, Missouri, "vultures on a roadside carcass." It was also reported in April that a mentally ill prison inmate in Clarke's jail died after being deprived of water for seven days. A grand jury recently recommended criminal charges be brought against the jail's staff.
Though Clarke's appointment has not been confirmed, it would not be unexpected consdiering the value Trump places on loyalty (Clarke has long been an unwavering supporter of the president). The news has drawn widespread criticism, as well as renewed scrutiny of Clarke's past actions. In addition to denouncing protesters, those actions have apparently included liking a bizarre array of Twitter posts. Here are some highlights.
A big ol' gun
Whoa! Take a look at some of the world's biggest handguns: https://t.co/7Xijup90fB @SmithWessonCorp pic.twitter.com/BzF4kO1Go3
— NRA Blog (@NRAblog) December 28, 2016
A meme equating protesters to the KKK
The NEW face of HATE.@ChristiChat @Chris_1791 @amrightnow @AllAmericanGirl @mitchellvii @KamVTV @saul42 @ColorMeRed @TrumpMyPres @slone pic.twitter.com/ovIoA6ee01
— John Gaver (@OrigIntent) November 11, 2016
Feet
#TuesdayShoesday means Red Toes Tuesday with @LouboutinWorld pic.twitter.com/QeTE99t8wK
— Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) August 16, 2016
A suggestion from the Daily Caller that there is now a reason to travel to Brazil other than the Zika virus
Forget About Zika, These Pictures Are The Only Reason You Need To Go To The Olympics https://t.co/GCKiCsXbP3 pic.twitter.com/QylFOJuEVK
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 11, 2016
Comparing Hillary Clinton to a horse
Santa stiching an American flag
My #Christmas🎄Wish💫#UnitedStates Restored To It's Greatness & Beauty.
— ð“ð“ªð“¿ð”‚👠ð“‘ð“»ð“ªð“½ ðŸ•Šï¸ (@RavenHUWolf) December 25, 2015
Great🇺🇸Nation To Turn Back The Moral Compass☑ pic.twitter.com/GJUxyFBIsK
#CornStand
.@CarlyFiorina the first presidential candidate to shuck corn at @IowaStateFair #CornStand pic.twitter.com/uv6h0KSyMM
— M. Scott Mahaskey (@smahaskey) August 17, 2015
A Sam Elliott meme
👊🏽🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/QtOWeiBZUW
— Kambree (@KamVTV) April 8, 2016
One of many Judge Jeanine posts Clarke has liked
In sonoma. A view from my room. All I need is a straw!! pic.twitter.com/YOr2QRaszU
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) October 22, 2015
A truly remarkable number of lion-based memes, posting in support of everything from Ted Cruz to Jesus
Several interesting uses of logic
Co-opting Elmur Fudd to push his pro-gun agenda
MT @ChuckNellis: From our cold dead hands! #NRA http://t.co/3lunqjliRu #2A #PJNET
— Judy CONSERVATIVE (@jstines3) March 13, 2015
And, finally, despite all the hate, Clarke is a nature lover
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Ryan Bort is a staff writer covering culture for Newsweek. Previously, he was a freelance writer and editor, and his ... Read more
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