Former ESPN reporter Britt McHenry confirmed Wednesday that she has accepted an advisory role with the U.S. Department of State.
“It is true,” McHenry wrote on social media. “I am honored to serve as a newly appointed press advisor to the State Department, our country’s highest diplomatic institution. Proud to serve for and work alongside some truly incredible people.”
McHenry also wrote on LinkedIn: “I am beyond excited to start this new chapter today and am thankful to every person who helped me in pursuing and achieving this opportunity. For 17 years, I have worked on camera covering the news. Now, I get to take that experience and apply it to our country’s highest diplomatic agency.
“As a fellow Floridian, I have followed and admired Secretary Marco Rubio’s political career from its inception to the outstanding leadership he shows today in the Administration. He has appointed an exceptional staff, and I look forward to serving them and our nation.”
On LinkedIn, McHenry listed her responsibilities as including managing press inquiries, “collaborating with Global Public Affairs,” and developing “strategies to address media concerns and enhance public understanding of agency initiatives.”
Barrett Media reported the appointment Tuesday.
The State Department did not immediately respond Thursday to a request by Front Office Sports for confirmation and further details.
McHenry spent three years at ESPN. She was suspended by the network for one week in 2015 after a video of her insulting a towing company clerk’s appearance, education, and job after having her vehicle towed.
“In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and regrettable things,” McHenry wrote in an apology at the time. “As frustrated as I was, I should always choose to be respectful and take the high road. I am so sorry for my actions and will learn from this mistake.”
She was let go by ESPN in 2017 as part of a round of layoffs.
McHenry also has worked for Fox News Media, Fox 5 D.C., Real America’s Voice News and The Spectator.
She filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News and George “Tyrus” Murdoch in 2019. The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by the parties involved in 2021.
She has said that she underwent surgery in 2020 for the successful removal of a brain tumor.
