State treasury official resigns after declaring homophobic jokes ‘back on’ under President Trump
An Arkansas state official has resigned, after tweets declaring homophobic jokes are acceptable following Trump’s victory.
Hunter Hatcher had served as an outreach coordinator for the state treasurer Dennis Milligan.
After the Trump inauguration, Hatcher – who was on leave from the office to serve with the Arkansas National Guard – joked about gay people.
He said: “Y’all in Trump’s America now! Time to flick that chip off ya shoulder and quit being so offended. Gay jokes are back on ya bunch of homos.”
In another post, he added: “I love Subway cause I can tell a woman to make me a sandwich and she does it with a smile on her face. I wish all women had that Subway work ethic. And equality? Don’t get equal, get to cooking woman, get equal on your own time.”
State treasurer Dennis Milligan wrote: “We are obviously very disappointed in some recent outbursts on social media by one of our employees who is currently on military leave.
“These statements… in no way represent the views of the Treasurer, who does not and has never held such audacious viewpoints.
“The comments made by a member of my staff were insulting, unprofessional, unbecoming of a state employee and have no place in a public office.”
Hatcher issued a resignation after the comments were reported in the local press.
He said: “It is with a heavy heart as I write this letter to inform the Treasurer of State that I am resigning my position at the Treasurer of State’s Office effective immediately.
“It is my intent to focus on my military service to my country.
“I would like to offer my sincere apologies to all who were offended by my egregious remarks, as it was not becoming of a Soldier.
“I am very contrite but will continue to focus on my mission with the Army.”
However, KATV reports he has also been disciplined by the military.
Arkansas Army National Guard spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Joel Lynch told the outlet: “He should not have posted that, we encourage and actually tell all of our soldiers and airmen that they represent the organization all the time, whether it’s on social media, when you’re walking downtown, when you’re in public…you’re always representing the organization and we do not tolerate that kind of behavior.”
“It’s very clear when we have training on this every year, we have policies and they’re posted on all of the facilities that we’re at so it’s not a mystery that we feel this way.”
