Watch CBS News

Congressional Aide Who Blasted Obama Daughters Once Worked For Former Rep. Joe Walsh

(CBS) – The Republican congressional aide who triggered controversy by criticizing President Obama's daughters on social-media once worked for conservative pundit Joe Walsh when he was an Illinois congressman.

Elizabeth Lauten was reported to have tendered her resignation Monday after a widely circulated Thanksgiving Day Facebook rant in which she blasted 13-year-old Sasha Obama and her 16-year-old sister, Malia.

Lauten, communications director for Tennesse Republican Congressman Stephen Fincher, did not like how the girls looked or behaved during the White House turkey pardoning ceremony.

"Try showing a little class," Lauten suggested. "Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at the bar."

She later deleted the post and apologized, but both Republicans and Democrats chastised Lauten for targeting a president's children.

Lauten worked for Walsh, a Republican U.S. representative from the northwest suburbs, in 2011, a Walsh representative tells CBS 2. She was employed for eight months as press secretary during Walsh's two-year stint in Washington.

"She didn't last with me," Walsh told the Daily Herald on Monday. "She had some issues and some problems."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.