“‘Diversity’ is not ‘our strength’ but rather a source of weakness, tension, and disunion,” he asserted. “America should not be seen as a ‘nation of immigrants’; we were originally a nation of settlers who later chose to welcome immigrants.” Anton, a former National Security Council spokesman in the first Trump administration, had previously served as a speechwriter for Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox News, and Rudy Giuliani, a former lawyer for Trump. Critics raised concerns about appointing a right-wing ideologue to the State Department’s policy office, fearing it could strain America’s relationships with international partners.
Brett Bruen, who had been the White House director of global engagement in the Obama administration, warned, “Putting someone like that in charge of formulating policies for years to come could significantly damage our credibility and set a dangerous precedent.” Transition spokesman Dan Holler praised Anton’s credentials and portrayed him as an asset to Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State and a child of Cuban immigrants.
“President Trump and Senator Rubio are assembling a top-tier team to advance the America First agenda demanded by the country,” Holler stated. “Michael Anton, as Director of Policy Planning, will have a key role in implementing an America First foreign policy.” Anton did not provide a response to a request for comment.
In a 2016 essay, Anton suggested that part of Trump’s appeal to voters was his willingness to challenge the falsehoods that had been propagated for years. He criticized the notion that it is shameful for conservatives to prefer those who share similar backgrounds and beliefs, and he argued that importing millions of immigrants with different notions of good government could be detrimental to American democracy.
Anton questioned the benefits of Muslim immigration following 9/11 and criticized the burden he believed was placed on Americans to prove that individuals are not threats before allowing them into the country. He praised Trump for challenging these beliefs, which he deemed nonsensical.
Having obtained a master’s degree in political science from Claremont Graduate University, Anton built a career as a speechwriter for prominent figures such as Murdoch, Giuliani, and Condoleezza Rice, positioning himself as an early ideological supporter of Trump when many conservatives were still skeptical.
The reality TV star, Michael Anton, gained attention in conservative circles for writing under the pseudonym Publius Decius Mus. Anton’s true identity was revealed by the conservative Weekly Standard magazine in 2017 while he was serving on the National Security Council. In a photograph taken at Mar-a-Lago on April 6, 2017, Anton can be seen on the far right, clad in a grey suit and eyeglasses, participating in a secure teleconference alongside President Donald Trump following a missile strike on Syria.
One of Anton’s notable essays, penned in September 2016, argued that conservatives faced a crucial decision in the 2016 election: support Trump or face a potentially disastrous victory by Hillary Clinton. Drawing a controversial analogy, Anton likened this choice to the actions of passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, who bravely confronted hijackers and ultimately crashed the plane to thwart an attack on Washington.
Less prominent but equally contentious were Anton’s disparaging remarks concerning immigration and immigrants. Since departing the White House in 2018, Anton has aligned himself with institutions at the core of the pro-Trump intellectual movement, serving as a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute and as a lecturer at conservative Hillsdale College.
Continuing to express his views through essays published in outlets such as the Claremont Review and various national publications, Anton has shifted to writing under his own name. His recent works criticize the Black Lives Matter movement and promote unfounded conspiracy theories, such as suggesting billionaire George Soros and the Democratic Party were planning a coup in the 2020 election.
Former President Trump, in a statement announcing Anton’s new role, commended Anton for his loyal and effective service, asserting that Anton spent eight years elucidating the meaning of an “America First” foreign policy. The appointment of Anton, known for his controversial stances, has sparked debates about the implications of having such viewpoints represented in high-level positions within the government.
Notably, the director of policy planning, a crucial position within the State Department responsible for analyzing global trends and emerging threats, is typically selected by the Secretary of State without requiring Senate confirmation. This role, traditionally held by a foreign policy expert, holds significant influence as the director has direct access to the Secretary of State and can freely share ideas and insights.
Critics have raised concerns about the appointment of individuals with extreme or discriminatory views to positions of power within the government, emphasizing the need for a balanced and informed approach to shaping foreign policy decisions. University of Southern California international relations professor Jeffrey Fields highlighted the importance of appointing individuals who do not espouse divisive or prejudiced ideologies, particularly in roles that directly impact U.S. foreign policy.
The proximity of the director of policy planning’s office to the Secretary of State’s suite underscores the significance of the position, allowing for immediate and unfiltered communication between the director and the Secretary. This closeness ensures that the director’s perspectives and recommendations can directly influence
