Richard Grenell, who became the first homosexual to serve in the president’s office after being appointed acting director of national intelligence (DNI) last year, congratulated Pete Buttigieg for becoming the second after being confirmed as head of the Department of Transport. by the Senate on Tuesday.
“Congratulations to @PeteButtigieg for becoming the second admittedly gay member of a President’s Office. Welcome to the club! “He tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.
Congratulations to @PeteButtigieg in becoming the second admittedly gay member of a president’s office.
Welcome to the club! pic.twitter.com/BbKK6iTBW1
– Richard Grenell
Richard GrenellEdward Snowden, the media and the Espionage Act The governor of Kentucky calls McConnell’s house ‘unacceptable’ vandalism Pelosi’s, vandalized McConnell homes while the K stimulus check bill is no more (@RichardGrenell) February 2, 2021
The Senate voted to confirm Buttigieg to lead the department in an 86-13 vote on Tuesday. Although he is only the second openly gay person to serve as a member of the president’s cabinet in the country’s history, he is the first to be confirmed to the cabinet by the Senate.
Grenell became the first openly gay member of the Cabinet after former President Trump appointed him to serve as DNI in February 2020.
The former ambassador to Germany also criticized the media for covering Buttigieg’s confirmation, which often emphasized the historical aspects of Tuesday’s Senate vote.
“Fake news,” said Grenell in response to the ABC News post.
Fake news. https://t.co/CHWyF4yxPI
– Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 2, 2021
Grenell, a staunch supporter of the Republican president, had previously served as the United States’ ambassador to Germany and maintained that position after being appointed to lead the intelligence community. For this ambassadorial post, Grenell was confirmed by the Senate in April 2018.
At the time, the nomination raised concerns among Democrats and career officials, who expressed doubts about their qualifications for the post and pointed out previous comments he made on the desire to “empower” conservative leaders “across Europe”.
“There are many conservatives across Europe who have contacted me to say that they feel there is a resurgence going on,” Grenell told Breitbart in a 2018 interview.
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe was sworn in as Grenell’s successor in late May. Days later, Grenell also resigned as ambassador.
The Senate confirmed Avril Haines as President Biden’s DNI at the end of last month. She was the first of her choices for the Cabinet to be confirmed by the Chamber.