A congressional staffer who publicly criticized the appearance of President Barack Obama's daughters at the president's annual turkey pardoning has resigned amid a backlash on social media.
According to
NBC News, Elizabeth Lauten, the communications director for Tennessee GOP Rep. Stephen Fincher, is tendering her resignation on Monday after posting the controversial comments on Facebook over the weekend.
In her post,
Lauten told Sasha and Malia Obama to "try showing a little class" after the first daughters, age 13 and 16 respectively, were reported to have been rolling their eyes and appearing bored during the event.
"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. "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."
Lauten's post went viral, sparking blog posts and tweets condemning her choice of words, including an online petition calling for her to be fired,
The Washington Post reported.
One such criticism came from RNC communications director Sean Spicer.
"Children, especially the first daughters, are off-limits," Spicer tweeted, labeling the comments "inappropriate" and "insensitive,"
Politico reported.
Lauten issued an apology on Facebook on Friday.
"When I first posted on Facebook I reacted to an article and I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager," Lauten wrote.
"After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were."
NBC News reported the resignation in a tweet Monday morning.
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