A GOP employee has apologized and will resign after criticizing the first daughters' appearance and behavior during the annual presidential turkey-pardoning ceremony last week.
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According to the Huffington Post, Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher, R-Tenn., took to Facebook after the ceremony and urged Sasha and Malia Obama to show "a little class." Read the full post below:
"Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class," Lauten wrote. "At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised public events."
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The post has been deleted – but not before it made the rounds on social media, where several users fired back at Lauten and even called for her to be fired.
"Fire Lauten for chastising the Obama girls," said Twitter user @ufoundrich. "They are just teenagers."
"Republican congressional staff @DCGopGirl attacks President's teen daughters," added @JRush_Asia. "So utterly shameful and classless."
Lauten later apologized on Facebook for her comments.
"I reacted to an article and quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager," she wrote. "After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents and re-reading my words online, I can see more clearly how hurtful my words were. Please know that these judgmental feelings truly have no place in my heart. Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, and pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience."
But the fallout from the comments did not stop after the apology. In a phone interview with NBC News on Monday, Lauten said her resignation is "in the works."
