The Health and Human Services official who tweeted anti-Muslim views and spread conspiracy theories has been forced out of her position, Politico reports.
Ximena Barreto is the third HHS staffer to depart following a Politico report that profiled how Trump appointees were using their social media accounts to make controversial statements and spread conspiracy theories.
Barreto was a deputy communications director who worked on the Trump campaign. She was placed on administrative review after Media Matters in April revealed that she called Islam a “cult,” shared an image that said “our forefathers would have hung” Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for treason and pushed the Pizzagate conspiracy theory which claims that Clinton is part of a child-sex ring based at a Washington pizza restaurant, on her Twitter account, “RepublicanChick.”
Barreto apologized and was reassigned to the HHS’ Administration for Children & Families.
"Comments I made as private citizen before I was hired at HHS were brought to light by concerned members of the press," Barreto said. "In the heated and hyper-passionate political campaign environment, I made generalized comments regarding race relations and radical Islam. I fully understand that these emotionally-charged comments were hurtful, and I deeply apologize to members of both communities."
"I love America and its people," she added. "I have many, many friends of all races and religions, and I look forward to working hand-in hand with them all as we labor to improve our nation for future generations. America is the land of opportunity, I hope for the opportunity of understanding and forgiveness.”
But Mediate last week reported that she made her Twitter account private and called the reports exposing her a “smear campaign.”
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.