AZ Dem Gov Katie Hobbs’ Press Secretary Resigns after Tweet that Appeared to Sympathize with TN Shooter

Josselyn Berry, press secretary for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has resigned from her position following backlash over her tweet that appeared to sympathize with the Nashville shooter. Berry has also taken her Twitter account private as well.

Katie Hobbs’ office issued a statement on the matter:

“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.”

CBS Political editor shared the news with a screenshot of what Berry had posted.

“#Breaking: ⁦@GovernorHobbs⁩ office has confirmed that press secretary ⁦@joss_berry⁩ has resigned this morning after posting this image on Twitter. Expect a full statement shortly. #azfamily“

The screenshot is a gif of a woman holding two pistols. Berry tweeted the .gif with “Us when we see transphobes”.

#Breaking: ⁦@GovernorHobbs⁩ office has confirmed that press secretary ⁦@joss_berry⁩ has resigned this morning after posting this image on Twitter . Expect a full statement shortly. #azfamily pic.twitter.com/JOimLiWXj0

— Dennis Welch (@dennis_welch) March 29, 2023

Earlier on Monday, the same day as the massacre Berry posed about transgender rights and progressive politics. According to AZ Central she posted, if you ” work in the progressive community and are transphobic, you’re not progressive.”

Another Twitter user replied, “Not sure these transphobic-from-the-left posers know who they’re messing with.” This is what prompted Berry to post the gif according to AZ Central.

Her response was not received well, and millions saw what she had said before she took her account private.

With the mass shooting at The Covenant School on the same day, many called her post tone-deaf and offensive.