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Republican Party staffer Elizabeth Lauten told NBC News she is resigning after making controversial comments about Sasha and Malia Obama. VPC
President Obama speaks as his daughters, Sasha, left, and Malia, look on before pardoning "Cheese" and his alternate, Mac -- both 20-week-old, 48-pound turkeys, during a ceremony at the White House on Nov. 26.(Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images)
Republican Party staffer Elizabeth Lauten has resigned from her post as communications director for U.S. Rep. Steve Fincher, R-Tenn., after making controversial comments about Sasha and Malia Obama, Fincher's chief of staff confirmed Monday.
Jessica Carter had no additional comment on the matter, the Associated Press reports.
This morning, NBC News said she was "resigning today" after making the comments.
GOP Staffer Elizabeth Lauten tells NBC News she is "resigning today" following her comments about Sasha and Malia Obama
— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) December 1, 2014
Lauten told NBC News via phone Monday that her departure was already "in the works," NBC reports.
Lauten apologized earlier on Facebook for "judging" the girls at the annual White House turkey pardoning event.
"I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager," she said.
The communications director for U.S. Rep. Steve Fincher, R-Tenn., went on to say that "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."
President Obama speaks during the turkey pardoning on Nov. 26.(Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images)
The Facebook comments that created a media firestorm asked for the Obama girls to "show more class" during the annual 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. At least respect the part you play," Lauten wrote in a post on the social media website, which was later taken down.
She added, "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," NBC News reports.
DeWayne Wickham, a columnist for USA TODAY, says that Lauten's resignation is not surprising.
"As a Republican Party communications specialist, she was more of a bull in a China shop than an artful word merchant."
USA TODAY
Wickham: GOP aide's sneak attack on Obama daughters
Diana Reese, contributor to The Washington Post, took aim at Lauten for her use of language, saying that she should not pick on Obama's kids.
"If Lauten were a mom, particularly of teen girls, she'd have a lot more empathy, I suspect, and she'd probably agree with me that kids in the White House should be off-limits to media scrutiny," Reese wrote.
Reese also drew a parallel to the comments that radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh made about Chelsea Clinton during the Clinton White House years. Limbaugh compared the pre-teen Clinton to a dog.
Honestly, a certain solemnity should be held during the pardoning of a turkey's life! The girls strike the appropriate demeanor in 2013 during the pardoning ceremony. National Turkey Federation Chairman John Burkel, left, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, keeps the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey still as President Obama pardons "Popcorn" with his daughters Sasha Obama, 12, and Malia Obama, 15 on Nov. 27, 2013.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
First lady Michelle Obama, left, watches as her daughter Malia adjusts the collar for her sister Sasha, right, as they walk out to welcome the Official White House Christmas Tree ceremony at the White House on Nov. 28, 2014. This year's White House Christmas Tree, is a White Fir grown by Chris Botek, Christmas Tree Farmer from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Penn., his father Francis Botek is third from left. Dogs Bo Obama, left, and Sunny Obama also participated.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Susan Walsh, AP)
First Lady Michelle Obama, center, her daughters Malia, left, and Sasha, second from left, are accompanied by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, third from right, watch students demonstrating remote control mechanical robots at the Beijing Normal School, a school that prepares students to attend universities abroad in Beijing, China on March 21, 2014.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Andy Wong, AP)
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