HHS removes official who spread conspiracy theories over social media
Ximena Barreto, a communications official in HHS since December 2017, resigned after CNN and Media Matters reported she spread conspiracy theories and made anti-Muslim statements on social media. Barreto was placed on leave in April.
Her removal was first reported by Politico.
Before her appointment to HHS, Barreto made online posts and videos that argued Hillary Clinton was involved in a child-sex ring at a Washington, D.C., pizza parlor. She also claimed the country’s forefathers would have hung Barack Obama and Clinton for treason.
After she was placed on leave, Barreto issued a public apology and resumed working at HHS, though in a different position than deputy director of communications. Last month, after her apology, she tweeted that CNN was trying to smear her. Before working in HSS, Barreto worked for Donald Trump’s campaign in California.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.