A staffer for a republican congressman from Tennessee apologized Saturday after criticizing Malia and Sasha Obama in a post on her personal Facebook page.
[seealso slug="obama-turkey-pardon"]
Elizabeth Lauten, the communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher, went off on the first daughters after their less-than-thrilled appearance at the annual White House turkey pardon ceremony.
Sasha and Malia seemed to reject the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony, adding a healthy dose of teenage eye-rolling to the event. According to MSNBC, "When asked by her dad if she would like to pet Cheese the turkey, Malia Obama responded, 'Nah.'”
Many found the ceremony humorous proof that even the leader of the United States is not immune to his teenage daughters' angst.
Sasha and Malia's side eye today gave me back my life. Thank you Sasha and Malia. http://t.co/UB3FWl2c9f— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) November 27, 2014
omfg malia obama might be more trill than I ever imagined— Aaron Edwards (@aaronmedwards) November 27, 2014
My favorite part of the turkey pardon is the “daaaaad” looks on Sasha and Malia’s faces every year. It’s great.— Kay Steiger (@kaysteiger) November 26, 2014
Lauten, however, was not amused. She took to her personal Facebook page to implore the teens to "try showing a little class," adding that they should "dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar." The full post can be seen below:
In her spare time when @DCGopGirl is not doing work for @RepFincherTN08 she shames teenagers on Facebook pic.twitter.com/jgeuxJqlYW— Yesha (@YeshaCallahan) November 28, 2014
After receiving major backlash on Twitter, Lauten wrote a second Facebook post apologizing for her actions. The statement has since been taken down or been made private on Facebook, but The Root writer Yesha Callahan tweeted a screenshot, which can be seen below:
So #ElizabethLauten @DCGOPGIRL now wants to apologize...#toolittletoolate pic.twitter.com/QrDDvxN15O— Yesha (@YeshaCallahan) November 28, 2014
"I reacted to an article and 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 how hurtful my words were. Please know that these judgmental feelings truly have no pace in my heart. Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, and pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience."