State Department's puzzling new hire

And Trump proposes turning Gaza into the 'riviera of the Middle East' |

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Wednesday, Feb. 05, 2025 THE LATEST Marco Rubio's new undersecretary is extreme even by MAGA standards By Jared Holt Marco Rubio's new undersecretary is extreme even by MAGA standards By Jared Holt The Trump administration this week appointed Darren Beattie — who has repeatedly expressed hostilities toward the U.S. government and sympathy for several of America's adversaries — as acting undersecretary of state for public diplomacy. In this role, Beattie would help lead the nation's diplomatic outreach and messaging on issues including counterterrorism and violent extremism.   Beattie himself has shown many times that he holds views that are extreme — even by mainstream MAGA standards — and sees a utility in propagating false conspiracy theories. The new State Department hire — who reports to Secretary of State Marco Rubio — is a former instructor at Duke University who worked as a speechwriter for President Donald Trump during his first administration.   The appointment of Beattie lampoons any remaining notions that Rubio might act as a firewall against extreme U.S. foreign policy changes as Trump's secretary of state — a misgiving that likely drove his unanimous confirmation to the role last month.   This is a preview of Jared Holt's latest article. Read the full column here. TOP STORIES CHAI KOMANDURI  Americans said they want new voices. Democrats aren't listening. The party is doubling down on status quo and seniority. Read more.  DANIEL R. DEPETRIS Trump just showed us why he's not winning the Nobel Peace prize anytime soon =Trump has referenced his hopes of winning a Nobel Peace Prize on numerous occasions — while floating a destructive vision for Gaza. Read more.  KATELYN BURNS This 19-year-old is alive thanks to gender-affirming care that Trump just banned The conservatives in power want us to disappear. We won't let that happen. Read more.  STEVE BENEN Hakeem Jeffries' latest message deserves GOP leaders' attention As Democrats grow more assertive in combating Trump's abuses, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent Republicans an important message. Read more.   TOP VIDEOS ALL IN Trump says U.S. should 'level' Gaza, create 'Riviera of the Middle East' WATCH NOW DEADLINE: WHITE HOUSE 'Catastrophic to national security': FBI agents issue warning over threats of mass firings WATCH NOW ALL IN 'What if he's stealing money?': Rep. Frost warns of Elon Musk's access to Treasury WATCH NOW DEADLINE: WHITE HOUSE 'We pay his salary and he sounds like a cheerleader': Nicolle Wallace on Mike Johnson's capitulation WATCH NOW MORE FROM MSNBC In the latest episode of "Trumpland with Alex Wagner," Alex heads to Newark, New Jersey where one of the most public ICE raids just occurred. She'll speak to Mayor Ras Baraka about the Trump administration's nationwide immigration crackdown and strategies from community organizers to help those whose lives have been turned upside down. Listen now.  In a new episode of "Why Is This Happening?," Chris Hayes is joined by Jonathan Blitzer, author of "Everyone Who Is Gone is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis" to discuss the reality of what's going on at the border. Listen now.   MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE