Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, a Democrat, said he stands by his chief of staff after he made repulsive comments about patriotic citizens who want to re-open the country.
“Let’s lure them into a big, big warehouse (we’ll call it something real classy to suit their refined sensibilities, like “America MAGA Platinum Palace”) with the promise of all the unfiltered Camels they can smoke, all the Salisbury steak and banana moonpies they can eat, washed down by all the Old Crow and Icehouse they can drink,” Len Foxwell wrote on Facebook.
It was a posting reminiscent of Mrs. Bill Clinton’s remarks about President Trump’s supporters being a basket of deplorables. Or when President Obama referred to conservatives as “bitter” folks who cling to their guns and Bibles.
“Plus, autographs from Scott Baio and pics with Tawny Kitean, posing all sexy and everything on a sportscar, just like in that old Whitesnake video! Get them in, bar the door and then let Darwin work his magic,” Foxwell continued to write.
The taxpayer-funded worker has a history of making offensive comments about conservatives.
“My heart goes out to the sales associates at convenience stores in Greater Annapolis, hwo will have to tend to these reprobates as they pregame with an impromptu brunch of Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese, Honey BBQ Slim Jims and yes, banana moon pies,” he wrote about a weekend protest regarding coronavirus closures.
Maryland Republican Party chairman Dirk Haire called on the comptroller to fire his chief of staff.
“I hope you agree with me that Mr. Foxwell’s statements suggesting the genocide of President Trump’s supporters are extraordinarily inappropriate and representative of a base and destructive mindset,” he wrote in a letter.
Foxwell defended the ugly post and said “a handful of provocateurs twisted unrelated content to suit their narrative of victimization and government persecution.”
“Again, this had nothing to do with rank-and-file Trump supporters – notwithstanding my deep, searing distaste for the President’s politics and his catastrophic mismanagement of this crisis,” he told CBS News Baltimore. “Nor, obviously, did I ever express hope that someone would die. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply, absolutely false.”
Franchot, in a Facebook post, said he is standing by his chief of staff. He said the comments were directed at the Patriot Movement and their willingness to violate stay at home orders imposed by the governor of Idaho.
“I remain 100 percent supportive of Len Foxwell and the exceptional work he continues to do for me and for the people of Maryland. He is an exceptional public servant, a dear family friend, and I look forward to his continued service as my Chief of Staff for years to come,” he said.