A staff member of Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson is no longer employed after an alleged controversial social media post.
According to Fox News, Rep. Bennie Thompson dismissed a staff member following a social media post about an apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi announced the dismissal in a statement, revealing that he became aware of the post and expressed his disapproval of it. The message, allegedly posted by his former field director, Jacqueline Marsaw, read: "I don't condone violence, but please get you some shooting lessons so you don't miss next time ops that wasn't me talking."
The post followed an incident at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Trump was speaking. A gunman on a nearby roof fired multiple shots toward the stage, causing chaos and panic among the attendees. Trump was seen hitting the deck as Secret Service agents rushed to protect him.
In the aftermath, Trump stood up with a bloodied ear and pumped his fist before being escorted off the stage by the Secret Service. The attack resulted in one fatality and two critically injured spectators. The man killed was identified as 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore.
Rep. Thompson responded swiftly to the situation, terminating Marsaw's employment. In his statement, Thompson emphasized that such comments were unacceptable and did not reflect his views or those of his office.
Thompson is the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee and has previously introduced legislation to block Secret Service protection for anyone sentenced to prison.
"I was made aware of a post made by a staff member and she is no longer in my employment," Thompson stated, reiterating his stance on the matter.
Jacqueline Marsaw had joined Thompson’s staff in July 2023. She hails from Natchez, Mississippi, and is an alumna of Jackson State University. Marsaw has been actively involved in her community, serving in various roles within the NAACP and the National Action Network.
Marsaw's involvement with Thompson's office was relatively recent, but her tenure came to an abrupt end due to the controversial post. The post has since been deleted, and Marsaw has not publicly commented on the matter.
The public reaction to the post was swift, with many calling for Marsaw's dismissal. The nature of the post, coming on the heels of a serious and violent incident, drew widespread criticism. The situation highlights the sensitivity and potential consequences of social media activity for public officials and their staff.
Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was a significant event, drawing a large crowd of supporters. The shooting incident has raised concerns about security at political events and the safety of public figures. The Secret Service and local authorities are investigating the incident.
A staff member of Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson was dismissed after allegedly posting a controversial message following the apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump. The post, now deleted, was allegedly made by Jacqueline Marsaw, Thompson’s former field director, suggesting better shooting skills to not miss next time. Trump survived the attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired toward the stage, resulting in one death and two injuries. Following calls for her dismissal, Thompson confirmed Marsaw's departure from his employment.
