2024-07-15 20:30:03
A staffer for Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson is no longer in her position after posting on social media about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
On July 13, Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, was onstage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman fired shots at him, grazing his right ear with a bullet.
“I was made aware of a post made by a staff member and she is no longer in my employment,” Thompson said in a statement, according to Fox News.
The Mississippi congressman did not name the staffer or provide details about the social media post. However, screenshots have circulated online of a post by Jacqueline Marsaw, who was a case worker and field director for Thompson.
The Facebook post said, “I don’t condone violence but please get you some shooting lessons so you don’t miss next time ooops that wasn’t me talking.”
Marsaw told The Natchez Democrat that she had removed the post after being asked to by a manager. “I got overwhelmed in the moment,” she told the outlet. “I am a diehard Democrat.”
She added that her post was intended to have comedic value, not to be taken seriously.
Marsaw’s post sparked outrage online, including from Representative Matt Gaetz and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
On X, formerly Twitter, Gaetz said her post was “horrifying,” while Gingrich called on Marsaw to be fired.
“She should be fired today. Thompson introduced the resolution to cut off secret service protection for President Trump. With staff like this the poison is deep,” Gingrich wrote.
In April, Thompson introduced legislation that would remove Secret Service protection from anyone convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison. He specifically referenced Trump, in the event that the former president was convicted in one or more of his criminal trials.
Thompson has faced backlash over the legislation following Saturday’s shooting.
Newsweek contacted Thompson’s office via a website form outside regular working hours.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Following the shooting, Thompson posted on X to condemn political violence.
“There is no room in American democracy for political violence. I am grateful for law enforcement’s fast response to this incident,” he wrote. “I am glad the former President is safe, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.”
A video of the incident shows Secret Service agents quickly surrounding Trump and rushing him offstage.
The FBI has identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, whom the Secret Service shot and killed at the scene.
Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former firefighter who attended the rally, was also killed during the incident.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
