- A Democratic staffer resigned after writing inflammatory posts following the assassination attempt on Trump.
- Mississippi Republicans demanded his removal after he wrote: “don’t miss the next opportunity.”
- Jacqueline Marsaw apologized and was visited by Secret Service officers, according to local reports.
A woman who worked for Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson has resigned after posting inflammatory messages on social media following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, according to multiple reports.
Jacqueline Marsaw, formerly a case worker and manager at Thompson’s field office in Natchez, Mississippi, posted on Facebook shortly after a shooter attempted to kill the former president.
At a campaign rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear. Another rallygoer was killed, and two others were seriously injured.
According to a screenshot obtained by local media outlet Clarion Ledger, Marsaw’s post read: “I don’t tolerate violence, but please take shooting lessons so you don’t miss another opportunity. Oops, that wasn’t me talking.”
This quickly drew criticism, with the Mississippi Republican Party’s X account calling it “despicable” and calling for Marsaw to be fired.
The post was removed about an hour after it appeared, the Clarion Ledger reported.
In a statement, Thompson said he was “made aware of a post made by a staff member and she is no longer employed by me,” according to Fox News.
After Saturday’s shooting, Thompon had posted to X that “there is no room in American democracy for political violence.”
However, Mississippi state auditor, Republican Shad White, called on Thompson to resign, telling the Clarion Ledger that the congressman had hired a “crazy staff” and recorded Thompson’s support for a bill that would deny Secret Service protection to Trump, as a criminal.
Speaking to local newspaper the Natchez Democrat, Marsaw said he “felt overwhelmed at the time,” adding: “I’m a hardcore Democrat.”
He said the post was meant as a joke.
Secret Service officers contacted local law enforcement to interview Marsaw and visited his home Sunday morning, Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten told the outlet.
“He was very remorseful and told the agent that what he did was uncalled for and unacceptable,” he said, adding: “He continued to apologise throughout the 45-minute interview.”
Marsaw’s case will be turned over to the attorney general to see if any charges will be filed, Patten told the Natchez Democrat.
Marsaw’s post may have violated U.S. Act 879, a law that prohibits making threats against a former president, he said. The crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Neither Marsaw’s nor Thompson’s offices immediately responded to Business Insider’s requests for comment sent outside of business hours.
