Rep. Bennie Thompson Fires Staffer Over Trump Comments

Congressman himself takes flak over previous bill to strip former president of Secret Service protection
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 15, 2024 6:13 AM CDT
Congressional Staffer Fired Over Trump Comments
Representative Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.   (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

A congressional staffer is out of a job in Mississippi after posting some nasty comments about the Donald Trump assassination attempt. The staffer identified as Jaqueline Marsaw worked for Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, and one Facebook post on Saturday read: "I don't condone violence but please get you some shooting lessons so you don't miss next time oops that wasn't me saying that," reports the Clarion Ledger. Another post suggested the shooting was staged, per the Magnolia Tribune. Thompson told Fox News that Marsaw is no longer employed by him.

The congressman himself, meanwhile, is taking heat not just for his former staffer's comments but for a bill he filed in the House earlier this year that would strip Trump of Secret Service protection as a convicted felon. The bill is currently in the hands of the House Judiciary Committee, per the Clarion Ledger. On Sunday, a group of Republicans that includes state auditor Shad White—who described Thompson as an "embarrassment to the state"—called on the congressman to resign. Thompson, for his part, condemned the attack on Trump. "There is no room in American democracy for political violence," he tweeted. (More Trump rally shooting stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X