The communications advisor for Rep. Aaron Schock, Benjamin Cole, has resigned following the revealing of Facebook posts where he expressed racist views. Both BuzzFeed and the left-leaning ThinkProgress found his posts and put them online. In one, Cole wrote that President Obama should build a mosque on White House grounds. In another, he claimed that Django Unchained was being filmed outside and posted a video of law enforcement and yelling outside.
“I am extremely disappointed by the inexcusable and offensive online comments made by a member of my staff,” Schock told his hometown paper, Journal Star. “I would expect better from any member of my team. Upon learning about them I met with Mr. Cole and he offered his resignation which I have accepted.”
This has been an interesting week for Schock and his communications team. Earlier this week, it was reported that his office was decorated in a Downtown Abbey style and there is an ethics claim that he did not pay for properly. When the Washington Post reporter found out about the redesign, the communications director attempted to trade an interview seemingly in exchange for letting go of the redesign story. At one point, the director said, “I’m really sorry and want you to know this is not fun for me.”