Arizona Governor’s Press Secretary Resigns After Appearing to Suggest Violence Against 'Transphobes'

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ press secretary said she is resigning after posting a Twitter post that appeared to suggest violence against “transphobes” following the deadly mass shooting at a Nashville Christian school that left three children and three adults dead. Hours after the mass shooting took place on Monday, Hobbs press secretary Josselyn Berry wrote: “Us when we see transphobes.” It included a GIF image of an actress pointing two handguns from a scene in the 1980 film, “Gloria.” Berry had written that “if you work in the progressive community and are transphobic, you’re not progressive” earlier in the day. It’s not clear if her Twitter messages were connected to reports saying that 28-year-old Audrey Hale, a biological woman who police said used male pronounces, was named as the suspect in the case. The controversial post was taken down, and Berry appears to have restricted her account to only her followers. Her Twitter bio as of Wednesday afternoon said that she was the “Press Sec for @GovernorHobbs.” The office of Hobbs, a Democrat, confirmed that Berry resigned from her position to local news outlets on Wednesday. The Epoch Times has contacted Hobbs’ office for comment. A statement from her office said that “the Governor does not condone violence in any form. This administration holds mutual respect at the forefront of how we engage with one another. The post by the Press Secretary is not reflective of the values of the administration. The Governor has received and accepted the resignation of the Press Secretary.” Berry has not issued any public statements after it was confirmed she would resign Wednesday. Before her resignation, a number of Republicans and conservative users called for her ouster. “Less than 12 hours after the tragic shooting in Nashville by a deranged transgender activist [Hobbs’] Press Secretary calls for shooting people Democrats disagree with,” the Arizona Freedom Caucus wrote Tuesday. Daniel Scarpinato, a former chief of staff and spokesman for former Gov. Doug Ducey, said that her Twitter post was tone-deaf and offensive. It was also “below the dignity of the office of the governor” given Berry’s connection to Hobbs, he told AZCentral.