The aftermath of an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania has sparked controversy and resulted in the dismissal of a Democratic staffer.
The alarming attack against the 78-year-old former POTUS unfolded on Saturday (July 13), during a Pennsylvania rally where Trump narrowly escaped being shot in the head, with the bullet grazing his ear.
However, rather than condemn the actions, Jacqueline Marsaw - a former field director for Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi - took to social media shortly after the shooting with remarks that enraged social media users.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, per the New York Post, Marsaw wrote: “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.”
Another post stated: “That’s what your hate speech got you!!”
The fallout was swift, prompting not only public outcry but also federal investigations.
Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich were among those who called for Marsaw’s immediate termination from Congressman Thompson’s office.
Responding to the controversy, Congressman Thompson issued a statement emphasizing the severity of Marsaw’s comments.
“There is no room in American democracy for political violence," Thompson said. "I am grateful for law enforcement’s fast response to this incident. I am glad the former President is safe, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved."
Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten confirmed that Marsaw had "resigned" from her position and was under investigation by federal agents.
Sheriff Patten also stressed the seriousness with which threats against public figures are taken, stating: “All threats or potential threats made to officials on social media or other means are investigated seriously" - referencing US Code 879, which pertains to threats against former presidents.
The United States Secret Service - which handles threats against former presidents - was involved due to the nature of Marsaw’s comments, which some interpreted as encouraging violence against Trump, per the Natchez Democrat.
Sheriff Patten said Marsaw fully complied with the federal agents who came to investigate her on July 14 and appeared remorseful.
“[Marsaw] came to my office but the agent requested that we go to her residence,” Patten said. “That is normal procedure, that way they can do a site visit of the home of the individual who made potential threats.”
The Sheriff added that he did not believe Marsaw's comments supported any malicious intent toward Trump, adding: "Anybody who knows Jackie knows she is passionate about what she does and gets emotional, sometimes to the point where she makes outbursts like she had when she made the post on social media."
He went on to describe her as being "very remorseful", adding that she told agents that her comments were "unwarranted and uncalled for".
Marsaw was reportedly interviewed for around 45 minutes, during which, she "apologized throughout" and confirmed her resignation from her position.
In response to the backlash, Marsaw said in a statement to the Natchez Democrat: "I got overwhelmed in the moment."
"I am a diehard Democrat," she continued, adding that her posts were meant for humor rather than as genuine threats.
Congressman Thompson has also confirmed that Marsaw was no longer part of his staff following the incident.
On Sunday night, President Joe Biden condemned the actions against his political rival, telling the nation in an address from the White House: "There is no place in America for this kind of violence or for any violence for that matter.
"An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. Everything. It’s not who we are as a nation.
"It’s not America, and we cannot allow this to happen."