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The Associated Press
Washington

GOP aide resigns over criticism of Obama daughters

Obamas at presidential turkey pardon ceremony
In this Nov. 26, 2014, file photo, President Barack Obama, joined by his daughters Malia, right, and Sasha, center, speaks at the White House, in Washington during the presidential turkey pardon ceremony.
Jacquelyn Martin / AP file

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Updated 11:12 a.m. | Posted 10:58 a.m.

An aide to a Republican congressman resigned Monday after her Facebook post criticizing President Barack Obama's daughters touched off a backlash.

Elizabeth Lauten, communications director to Rep. Stephen Fincher of Tennessee, said Malia Obama, 16, and Sasha, 13, should have shown more "class" at a turkey-pardoning ceremony last week at the White House.

Lauten wrote that the girls should "respect the part you play," and added: "Then again your mother and father don't respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I'm guessing you're coming up a little short in the `good role model department.' "

Lauten later apologized for the comments and deleted the original post, which drew harsh criticism across social media.

Jessica Carter, chief of staff for Fincher, said Monday that Lauten resigned. Carter had no additional comment on a personnel matter.

After the post became the topic of conversation on a variety websites, Lauten issued an apology, saying "many hours of prayer," conversations with her family and a re-reading of her words made her reconsider the post.

"When I first posted on Facebook I reacted to an article and I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager," Lauten told the Commercial Appeal of Memphis in an email. "Please know, those judgmental feelings truly have no place in my heart. Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words."