Josselyn Berry Resigns as Gov. Hobbs’ Press Secretary Following Controversial Tweet
Phoenix, AZ – Governor Katie Hobbs’ press secretary, Josselyn Berry, has resigned from her position following a controversial tweet she posted in response to the Nashville mass shooting that occurred over the weekend.
Berry took to Twitter on Sunday to express her frustration with the lack of gun control measures in the United States and suggested violence against transphobes, writing, “Another day, another mass shooting in America. When will we finally take action and put an end to this senseless violence? Also, transphobes are getting bolder and more violent every day. It’s past time we start fighting back. #TransRightsAreHumanRights”
The tweet sparked a backlash from gun rights activists, some political leaders, and the transgender community who accused Berry of advocating for violence and politicizing the tragedy. Governor Hobbs was also criticized for the tweet, with some calling for her to fire Berry.
In a statement released on Monday, Governor Hobbs expressed her disappointment with Berry’s tweet, saying, “I want to be clear that the views expressed by my former press secretary do not reflect my own or those of my administration. We condemn all forms of violence and will continue to work towards common-sense gun control measures that protect our communities.”
Berry, who had been with the Hobbs administration since the beginning of the governor’s term, apologized for the tweet in her resignation letter, saying, “I regret the way my words were perceived and the distraction they have caused. It was never my intention to advocate for violence or politicize the tragedy in Nashville, and I understand that my tweet was inappropriate.”
The controversy surrounding Berry’s tweet highlights the ongoing debate over gun control and transgender rights in the United States. While some argue that stricter gun laws are necessary to prevent mass shootings, others maintain that such measures infringe on the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Similarly, the transgender community has been fighting for equal rights and protection from violence.
Governor Hobbs, a Democrat who was elected in 2022, has been a vocal advocate for gun control measures and transgender rights. During her campaign, she called for background checks on all gun sales and a ban on assault weapons. She has also been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
In response to the controversy, gun rights groups in Arizona have criticized Hobbs for her stance on gun control, and some conservative groups have used the tweet to attack the governor’s support for transgender rights.
The resignation of Berry comes at a time when the Hobbs administration is facing several other challenges, including a budget deficit and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In her statement, Governor Hobbs said that she would be appointing a new press secretary in the coming days and that she remained committed to addressing the issues facing the state.
“I want to assure the people of Arizona that my administration will continue to work tirelessly to address the challenges facing our state, from gun violence to the economy to public health,” she said. “We will not be deterred by this setback, and we will continue to move forward with our agenda to create a better future for all Arizonans.”
