Extremist Sheriff David Clarke Resigns and Twitter Is Freaking Out He Might Run Homeland Security
Trump Promoted Clarke’s Book Days Ago
David Clarke, one of the most extremist high-profile Trump surrogates ever to grace the cameras of Fox News, has just resigned as Milwaukee County Sheriff. Clarke months ago had announced he was headed to Homeland Security to become an Assistant Secretary. That seemed to have fallen through after CNN revealed Clarke plagiarized portions of his thesis – on Homeland Security.
:: BREAKING NOW: Milwaukee County Clerk confirms @MCSOSheriff @SheriffClarke David Clarke has resigned. Letter received at 3:17pm. pic.twitter.com/IDqUUp5atm
— Steve Chamraz (@TMJ4Steve) August 31, 2017
:: BREAKING NOW: @sheriffclarke resignation letter. Takes effect 11:59pm pic.twitter.com/kqf5778z5Q
— Steve Chamraz (@TMJ4Steve) August 31, 2017
Upon news breaking that Clarke had resigned today, Twitter went nuts.
There may be good reason. Just days ago Trump, in the middle of Hurricane Harvey, promoted Clarke’s book on Twitter.
“A great book by a great guy,†Trump tweeted.Â
How extremist is Clarke? He virulently opposes Black Lives Matter, whom he calls “subhuman creeps.” He intensely supports Donald Trump, and – surprise – has ties to Russia.
“Clarke has well-documented, recent ties to extremist groups, even accepting awards from them,” the ADL reported in May. “The groups with which Clarke has ties are two anti-government groups well known for trying to recruit law enforcement officers into the anti-government extremist movement:Â The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) and the Oath Keepers.”
Clarke also appeared on the show of anti-government extremist conspiracy theorist and 9-11 “truther†Alex Jones. In 2014, when anti-government extremists led by Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy staged an armed standoff with the federal government, Clarke tweeted that the Bureau of Land Management should “get out†and “leave the rancher alone.â€Â In sharp contrast, in 2015, after the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, Clarke called for a “revolution†with “pitchforks and torches.â€
One person died in his jail after water was withheld for a week. Others, including at least one child, have also died in his jail.
It was never just that @SheriffClarke was a bombastic clown who demonized black civil rights activists. It was this. https://t.co/dXrXMqgEgB
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) August 31, 2017
And he’s been called a “fascist.”
The term “fascist” is overused. But David Clarke, who says he has a DHS appointment, is a true fascist https://t.co/TiuSh6j39N pic.twitter.com/bWzlSl1cMB
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) May 17, 2017
UPDATE: Politico reports Clarke “is expected to take a job in the Trump administration, according to two sources familiar with the matter.”
Here’s what people are saying right now about Clarke:
If he’s leaving to head up DHS, this is huge. https://t.co/kcw50EtSGf
— JJ MacNab (@jjmacnab) August 31, 2017
i wish it was a stretch to say that david clarke is likely headed to dhs but i think it’s a real possibility
— Sarah Jones (@onesarahjones) August 31, 2017
Senator Joe Arpaio and DHS Secretary David Clarke
— Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) August 31, 2017
Trump loves xenophobic, violent, militia sheriffs like God loves Jesus. Good chance Clarke has been tapped for federal office. He wants DHS. https://t.co/hCV1Mop4U8
— Kierán Suckling (@KieranSuckling) August 31, 2017
Sheriff David Clarke is a menace to the Constitution who should never become Homeland Security chief #tbt https://t.co/jEZQ3sUheT
— Jack Hunter (@jackhunter74) August 31, 2017
If Trump stupidly nominates David Clarke to be Secretary of DHS, it will be the mother of all confirmation battles. https://t.co/eiKcmUIQFy
— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) August 31, 2017
me waiting to hear what fresh david clarke hell awaits america pic.twitter.com/2tgNwoSDHC
— Erin 🎶Gloria🎶 Ryan (@morninggloria) August 31, 2017
How long til 45 appoints David Clarke DHS? It’s the type of terrible decision he’d make.
— Los Angeles Esther (@angelenoesther) August 31, 2017
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Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license

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