Carl Higbie, a former Navy SEAL and media personality, had been appointed chief of external affairs for the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2017 after serving as a surrogate for President Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign, CNN reported. His duties under the role were to direct public image and messaging for the organization, which manages volunteer services like AmeriCorps.
CNN KFile reviewed a number of comments Higbie made in radio interviews in 2013. In a variety of radio interviews, Higbie questions the work ethic and morals of African Americans; says that he doesn't like Muslims or gay people; says that soldiers suffering from PTSD have a "weak mind;" asserts that U.S. citizens should be allowed to shoot undocumented immigrants; questions President Barack Obama's birth certificate; and says that people on government assistance shouldn't be allowed to vote.
A spokesperson for the CNCS told CNN on Thursday that Higbie had resigned his position of chief of external affairs, effective immediately.
Higbie tweeted out an apology on Friday morning.
"I’m sorry. I’m not sorry that my words were published, I am sorry that I said them in 2013," Higbie tweeted. "Those words do not reflect who I am or what I stand for, I regret saying them. Last night I informed the WH that I was resigning so as not to distract from POTUS’ many success. #noexcuses"
Click here to read the CNN story.
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