Sasha and Malia Obama watch their father officiate at last weeks turkey pardoning. Two turkeys survived; Republican congressional aide Elizabeth Lautens career did not. Photograph: Evan Golub/Demotix/Corbis
A communications director for a Republican congressman resigned on Monday, amid public outrage over remarks she made on Facebook about President Barack Obamas teenaged daughters.
Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Representative Stephen Fincher of Tennessee, wrote in a post that Malia, 16, and Sasha, 13, should have shown more class at Wednesdays annual White House turkey pardoning ceremony.
Act like being in the White House matters to you, Lauten wrote. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly dont make faces during televised public events.
Lauten also took a swing at Malia and Sashas parents: Then again your mother and father dont respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so Im guessing youre coming up a little short in the good role model department.
Lauten deleted the post, but not before screen grabs had been taken and shared across social media. The post went viral, with critics suggesting the GOP staffer had gone too far. Some called for her resignation. Hours later, she posted an apology.
After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and rereading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were, Lauten wrote in a post that was published just before she made her Facebook page private.
In a phone interview on Monday, Lauten told NBC News her resignation was in the works. Congressman Finchers chief of staff, Jessica Carter, said Lauten had resigned.
At the annual turkey pardon, Malia and Sasha appeared slightly bored as they watched their father pardon birds named Mac and Cheese. Photos of the sisters casting exasperated looks at one another as their father spoke sparked mostly playful comments on social media and from some media outlets.
In a dizzying turn, some Republicans criticized the news medias coverage of Lautens comments, calling the attention politically biased.
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Republican congressman's aide resigns over criticism of Obama's daughters