SIGN-LANGUAGE INTERPRETER A TRUMP ACTIVIST

President Joe Biden’s first use of a sign language interpreter at the White House led to controversy after it was reported the person chosen was a Trump activist.

Heather Mewshaw, 41, appeared at a coronavirus briefing Monday alongside Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary.

Psaki introduced the American Sign Language interpreter at the briefing, saying: “Today’s interpreter, Heather, is joining us virtually. The president is committed to building an America that is more inclusive, more just and more accessible for every American, including Americans with disabilities and their families.”

Time magazine and members of the deaf community then identified Mewshaw and linked her to a rightwing interpreters’ group.

It was reported she wore a red Make America Great Again hat in an Inauguration day video on Facebook. days before appearing for the White House, she signed for a video by a pro-trump figure, who said: “Joe Biden, you will never be my president.”

Nyle dimarco, a deaf actor, told The Washington Post: “Imagine what harm she could cause literally holding the message in her hands.”

Several thousand people have signed a petition calling for the interpreter not to be used by the White House.

different interpreters appeared at White House briefings in the following days.