Trump's Hispanic communications head quietly steps down
Another day, another quiet departure from the White House.
Helen Aguirre Ferré has left her job as President Trump's director of media affairs for Hispanic and African-American news outlets, Strategic Communications Director Mercedes Schlapp confirmed to Univision late Wednesday. Ferré handled Spanish-speaking media for the Trump administration, a job that's now left to Schlapp.
Aguirre Ferré wasn't expected to leave Trump's team, seeing as she "went beyond her duties to secure her permanency in that office," a former colleague told Univision. In June, she loudly defended Trump's zero tolerance immigration policy — at a Latino Leaders Summit, no less. But as a former critic of Trump and his treatment of women, it also surprised coworkers that she joined this White House in the first place. Aguirre Ferré campaigned for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) in 2016, but switched to Trump's side after he secured the Republican nomination.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, another prominent Hispanic White House staffer, also left his spot as deputy assistant to the president a little more than a month ago. These two successive departures raise questions about the administration's commitment to Spanish speakers, Univision says. The White House website has no Spanish content 18 months into Trump's presidency, unlike the past two administrations.
Aguirre Ferré hasn't hinted at where she's headed next, but rumors swirl that she'll join the National Endowment for the Arts, Univision says.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
The great global copper swindleUnder the Radar Rising prices and easy access makes the metal a ‘more attractive target for criminals looking for a quick profit’
-
‘They’re nervous about playing the game’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Will Netanyahu get a pardon?Today's Big Question Opponents say yes, if he steps down
-
Trump boosts gas cars in fuel economy rollbackspeed read Watering down fuel efficiency standards is another blow to former President Biden’s effort to boost electric vehicles
-
Hegseth’s Signal chat put troops in peril, probe findsSpeed Read The defense secretary risked the lives of military personnel and violated Pentagon rules, says new report
-
Trump pardons Texas Democratic congressmanspeed read Rep. Henry Cuellar was charged with accepting foreign bribes tied to Azerbaijan and Mexico
-
GOP wins tight House race in red Tennessee districtSpeed Read Republicans maintained their advantage in the House
-
Trump targets ‘garbage’ Somalis ahead of ICE raidsSpeed Read The Department of Homeland Security will launch an immigration operation targeting Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
-
Hegseth blames ‘fog of war’ for potential war crimespeed read ‘I did not personally see survivors,’ Hegseth said at a Cabinet meeting
-
Canada joins EU’s $170B SAFE defense fundspeed read This makes it the first non-European Union country in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative
-
Appeals court disqualifies US Attorney Alina HabbaSpeed Read The former personal attorney to President Donald Trump has been unlawfully serving as US attorney for New Jersey, the ruling says
