The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) appears to be amping up its efforts in Florida to quell dissension from Governor Ron DeSantis and his followers against the LGBTQ+ agenda. This week the CIA hired activist and former Democrat candidate Elijah Manley as "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Associate".
"Announcement. Starting April 5th, I will be taking a job at the @CIA as its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Associate. In this role, I will be assisting the agency in its efforts to become a 21st century leader in equality," Tweeted Manley earlier today. Manley, who ran for the Florida House of Representatives in 2022, has been involved in LGBTQ+ and Human Rights activism in South Florida.
☀️ Announcement ✨
Starting April 5th, I will be taking a job at the @CIA as its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Associate. In this role, I will be assisting the agency in its efforts to become a 21st century leader in equality.
Thank you all for the support ❤️
— Elijah Manley (@iElijahManley) April 1, 2023
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's Rapid Response Director and critic of equity and inclusion Christina Pushaw was not amused. "This better be an April Fools joke," Pushaw tweeted.
Pushaw referred to previous tweets from Manley calling DeSantis a fascist.
"Everything Ron DeSantis and the fascist GOP does in Florida will be repealed in due time. No one has power forever in this state," Manley tweeted on January 29. Pushaw shared another tweet from Manley from June 2, 2022. "Everywhere Ron DeSantis goes, he must be shamed and protested because he's a dangerous dictator who wants to make it harder for you and your family to thrive in this state," tweeted Manley.
This better be an April Fools joke pic.twitter.com/xC0Uk3HcGL
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) April 1, 2023
"In this role, I will be working to make sure all CIA employees feel welcome and ensure they have support to perform to the fullest of their abilities in the workplace, in pursuit of U.S. national security objectives," Manley told the Floridian in a written statement.
The CIA states on their website they are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
"We’re committed to shaping a workforce that fully reflects the diversity of American society. We cannot compete successfully on that landscape if everyone looks like me, talks like me, and thinks like me," they state on their website.
Manley replied to Pushaw's comment by asking if she might like to join the CIA as well and even offered to help her get a position with the agency.
"Hello, Governor's press secretary lady. If you want a job here, I can help you get one. Just send over your resume. You're the type of person we're looking for in our torture program," Manley tweeted.
Hello, Governor’s press secretary lady. If you want a job here, I can help you get one. Just send over your resume. You’re the type of person we’re looking for in our torture program. https://t.co/9ZUUfe3i1z
— Elijah Manley (@iElijahManley) April 1, 2023
The Floridian reached out to Pushaw to ask if she would be interested in Manley's offer. Pushaw responded on Twitter asking if Manley was serious, "I know he's a real person lol.. the April fools joke (hopefully) was his tweet about joining the CIA's DEI department."
The Floridian reached out to the Central Intelligence Agency for comment but they have been silent.
Manley later confirmed this to be an April Fools joke proving members of the LGBTQ+ community still have a sense of humor.
April Fools from The Floridian!
