A staffer for Democratic Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson has been fired after suggesting “shooting lessons” in the wake of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Jacqueline Marshaw, Thompson’s field director, made the post soon after the attack at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“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,” Marshaw’s now-deleted post read, as reported by the Clarion Ledger.
Rep. Thompson confirmed Marshaw’s dismissal in a statement released Sunday. He stated that he was made aware of a post made by a staff member, and she is no longer in his employment.
The post drew swift condemnation from the Mississippi Republican Party, which called for Marshaw’s firing. The GOP expressed outrage over the comments and urged Mississippi Democrats to repudiate Marshaw’s despicable statements.
Rep. Thompson denounced political violence in a post on X after the incident. “There is no room in American democracy for political violence,” he wrote. Thompson expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s swift response and extended his thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the incident, adding that he was glad the former President was safe.
The assassination attempt at Trump’s rally resulted in the death of Buffalo volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore. The other two victims, 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver, are in stable condition, according to Pennsylvania state police. Trump sustained a wound on his face and right ear but was otherwise uninjured, according to his campaign.
The FBI identified the alleged shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks allegedly fired at Trump from an elevated position approximately 400 feet away. The Secret Service neutralized him immediately after Trump was struck.
In January 2021, Crooks donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project via ActBlue. Records also show that Crooks was registered as a Republican.