In a turn of events that underscores the volatile intersection of social media and politics, Bree Montoya, a councilwoman from Norman, Oklahoma, has resigned from her position. The resignation, effective immediately, was announced at the beginning of Tuesday's council meeting. Montoya's decision follows a wave of criticism after a contentious Facebook post directed at a Trump supporter came to light.
Montoya, who has served the community since 2008, expressed her readiness to explore new opportunities. "That being said, I am resigning immediately from Council Ward 3. Thank you, Ward 3. It’s been an honor to serve," she stated at the meeting. The controversy began with a political disagreement that escalated during the "No Kings" protest earlier this summer.
Screenshots of Montoya's comments quickly spread across social media platforms, gaining traction when shared by the conservative account Libs of TikTok, known for spotlighting provocative posts by public figures. The woman targeted in the exchange, Audra Abbott, told FOX 25 that the situation might have not escalated if the post hadn't been amplified online. "If it hadn’t gone viral with Libs of TikTok picking it up, I don’t think anything would have happened at all," Abbott said. She doubted there would have been a public apology or resignation without the viral attention.
Montoya, whose political affiliation is not publicly listed, issued an apology on Sunday, acknowledging her comments as "awful, inappropriate, and unacceptable." She admitted that her remarks were made during a moment of personal distress and has since sought professional help. Montoya's apology extended to those she hurt and disappointed, seeking their forgiveness.
Despite the public outcry, city officials highlighted that council members enjoy First Amendment protections. "City Council members are not considered traditional employees of the city... Therefore, city staff cannot take disciplinary action against council members for exercising those rights," representatives from the City of Norman explained.
At the council meeting, residents expressed their frustration and called for the establishment of a formal code of conduct for council members. Norman is reportedly the only major city in the metro area without formal ethical guidelines for elected officials. Community member Paul Wilson urged the council to adopt comprehensive standards to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Montoya's resignation has cast a spotlight on the influence of social media in local politics and the potential for comments made online by public officials to quickly escalate to national attention. Analysts caution against aggressive or threatening rhetoric, warning that it can exacerbate tensions and pose risks to individuals. The incident also raises broader concerns about online discourse and the need for responsible communication.
While Montoya's departure addresses the immediate controversy, it leaves open questions about the standards for elected officials and how communities should handle inappropriate online behavior. The city council and local leaders are now faced with the task of considering whether to implement formal ethical guidelines, striking a balance between accountability and the constitutional right to free speech.
