(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., fired one of her staffers for coming into work without testing for COVID, claiming that the staffer got her sick.
However, according to the Post Millennial, an internal message revealed that even Porter neglected to follow her own COVID protocols.
A series of text messages between Porter and the staffer, identified as Sasha, posted to Twitter revealed Porter’s criticism.
VIBE CHECK: Rep. Katie Porter fires staffer after both test positive for COVID. Full texts from the Congresswoman firing the staffer via text. Shared with permission from staffer. pic.twitter.com/jbhn2NzrmB
— Dear White Staffers (@DWS________) December 29, 2022
“I’m terribly sorry. You’re right I should have done better,” Sasha said. “Just because I felt okay in the moment doesn’t mean that I was.”
Porter responded to Sasha, telling her she was not allowed back in the office at all because of her “failure to follow office policies.” According to the text, Sasha was not allowed to pick up her personal effects and is required to work remotely for her last few weeks.
Sasha responded graciously, apologizing for disappointing her boss. Porter did not respond in kind.
“Well you gave me Covid,” Porter said. “In 25 months, it took you not following the rules to get me sick. My children have nobody to care for them.”
A few days later, Sasha recieved a message from the California Democratic Party Caucus Chair, Amar Shergill, which clarified that Porter did indeed have COVID.
“Unfortunately, the CDP portion of the Executive Board Meetings had lax mask standards and Representative Porter has now reported positive for Covid,” the message sent. “I encourage the in-person attendees of our Caucus meeting with Rep. Porter to take appropriate precautions, including testing.”
Sasha shared the message to Twitter, calling out the representative for the “lax mask standards” and pointing out that Porter must have lied about Sasha giving her the virus or about getting it during the meeting.
“Someone just sent me this but this was AFTER [Porter] knew I had COVID and she was still out,” Sasha wrote.
— Dear White Staffers (@DWS________) December 29, 2022
Porter has not publicly responded to these accusations.
