Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ press secretary resigned this week after tweeting out a violent message aimed at so-called “transphobes.”
Josselyn Berry stepped down after her incendiary posting in the aftermath of a transgender suspect massacring six victims at a Nashville elementary school Monday.
The GIF was from a scene in the 1980 movie “Gloria.” It portrayed actress Gena Rowlands aiming two pistols along with the caption, “Us when we see transphobes.” It went online Monday as the nation reeled from the news of the sickening violence in Tennessee.
The post was later deleted from Twitter for violating the social media platform’s rules.
Berry reportedly came under intense pressure to resign following the grossly insensitive tweet. A statement from Hobbs’ office declared she “does not condone violence in any form. This administration holds mutual respect at the forefront of how we engage with one another.”
It continued by denouncing the message in the post as “not reflective of the values of the administration.” The statement noted that Berrys resignation was received and accepted.
Josselyn Berry, the woman running @katiehobbs's comms, sent this threat out following the murder (hate crime) of six innocent Christians by a trans activist
This message is reprehensible & deserves bipartisan condemnation pic.twitter.com/NVtm1pgH9F
— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) March 29, 2023
The former press secretary tweeted earlier that “if you work in the progressive community and are transphobic, you’re not progressive.”
The Arizona Freedom Caucus was quick to denounce the offensive posting. It said that in the emotional hours after the Nashville shooting, Berry “calls for shooting people Democrats disagree with.”
The group said that calls for violence are “un-American” and that Berry “should be fired immediately.”
Arizona state Rep. Austin Smith tweeted his agreement with demands for Berry to be fired. “Calling for violence from the 9th floor,” he posted, “is beneath the office she is supposed to serve.”
The Arizona Women of Action organization also insisted that the press secretary be shown the door. It noted in a tweet that Berry “posted an inciteful meme calling for the murder of transphobes.”
The left is always ready to condemn violence — right up until it furthers their goals. As was clearly demonstrated in the “mostly peaceful” BLM riots and just this week with Berry’s hateful posting, the liberal end justifies the violent means. The Arizona government is better off without her.
