A group of Mississippi Republicans is calling for U.S. House Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., to resign after a former staffer posted support for a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
In posts made on X Sunday, State Auditor Shad White and others criticized Thompson for hiring radical staff, specifically referring to Jacqueline Marsaw, a field director who said the man who shot at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday should have aimed better so he wouldn't "miss next time."
White also said Thompson should give up his seat in the U.S. House because he filed a bill earlier this year seeking to remove Trump's Secret Service detail as a convicted felon. That bill is currently being considered in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
"Bennie Thompson is an embarrassment to the state," White told the Clarion Ledger on Sunday. "It was completely irresponsible when he proposed legislation to take away President Trump’s Secret Service protection. He is one of the most senior Democrats on the U.S. House Homeland Security committee, so he knows better. In my opinion, he wanted to endanger President Trump’s life to score some political points. He has clearly hired and promoted nut job staffers, as one openly called for President Trump’s assassination. Thompson should resign immediately."
The Mississippi Republican Party, which had previously called for Marsaw to resign Saturday night, posted to X later Sunday that Thompson needed to quit too, citing Marsaw's post, his Secret Service removal bill, and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot investigation committee.
Mississippi GOP Chair Mike Hurst told the Clarion Ledger the demand came from several sources, including Thompson’s perceived animosity toward Trump, the Jan. 6 committee hearings, and his lack of response to Marsaw's actions Saturday night.
"Congressman Thompson fired the lady, thank goodness, but he still doesn't condemn what she said," Hurst said. "He hasn't condemned what anyone else has said either that continues to escalate the tension between Americans. I mean, we've got to have some grownups in the room, and right now, Congressman Thompson is not one of them."
Thompson, who told the Clarion Ledger that Marsaw, as of Sunday, is no longer employed by him, stood by his bill in response to the scrutiny.
According to the U.S. Legislature website, the bill would only remove Secret Service protection for convicted felons upon sentencing. Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in May in New York, but he has not been sentenced.
"My bill would not have affected the Secret Service's presence during this tragic event," Thompson said. "It aims to clarify lines of authority when a protectee is sentenced to prison and is in the custody of another law enforcement agency. That does not apply to the former President."
On Saturday, while Trump was giving a speech to a crowd of thousands in Butler, Pennsylvania, several shots rang out through the crowd, killing at least one person, slightly injuring Trump, and seriously wounding two others. According to USA Today, Trump was not seriously injured, and the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead within moments of opening fire. Crooks was registered as a Republican and had attended Bethel Park High School, graduating in 2022.
Mississippi House Representative and state Democratic Party Chair Cheikh Taylor of Starkville told the Clarion Ledger he thought White's post sowed further division during a time when state leaders and lawmakers should be coming together.
"Everyone needs to take a step back and look at what's important," Taylor said. "The most important thing is the ballot box and fleshing issues out in a way that's peaceful and respectable."
Taylor said it would be foolish to hold Thompson accountable to the degree White has demanded, especially considering Marsaw posted on her own Facebook page without anyone else's prior knowledge.
"There is no way to control all the ideas and thought processes of all staffers," Taylor said. "Everyone has the right to their own personal opinions, but I trust Congressman Thompson, his leadership, and his ability to handle his own office. Whatever decision he makes, I think will be the right decision."
Marsaw did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect several state Republicans calling for Thompson's resignation. As of 4 p.m., Thompson had not yet put out a statement detailing the incident with his staffer other than to say she is no longer working there.
Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
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