An Oklahoma councilwoman has resigned immediately following a wave of backlash over a Facebook post in which she told a Trump supporter to take her own life.
Bree Montoya, who represents Ward 3 on the Norman City Council, announced her departure at the start of Tuesday’s council meeting, citing her years of service to the community.
“I have served the community since 2008, and I am ready to pursue other opportunities,” she said. “That being said, I am resigning immediately from Council Ward 3. Thank you, Ward 3. It’s been an honor to serve.”
The post that triggered the controversy stemmed from a political disagreement over the “No Kings” protest earlier this summer.
Screenshots of Montoya’s comments circulated widely on social media and were shared by the conservative account Libs of TikTok, which frequently highlights inflammatory posts by public figures.
Audra Abbott, the woman involved in the exchange, told FOX 25 that the post likely would not have drawn a strong reaction if it had not gone viral.
“If it hadn’t gone viral with Libs of TikTok picking it up, I don’t think anything would have happened at all,” she said. “I don’t think there would have been a public apology and I don’t think she would have resigned.”
Montoya, whose political affiliation isn’t listed, issued a public apology on Sunday, describing her comments as “awful, inappropriate, and unacceptable.”
She admitted the exchange escalated in a moment of personal distress and said she has sought professional help to address “old wounds” while striving to become a better person.
“To those I’ve hurt and are disappointed in me, I am truly sorry. I humbly ask your forgiveness,” she wrote on social media.
Despite public outrage, city officials emphasized that council members are afforded 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,” Norman city representatives said in a statement, according to KOCO 5.
At the council meeting, residents voiced frustration with the situation and called for stricter rules and a formal code of conduct for council members.
Community members argued that Norman is the only major city in the metro area without formal ethical guidelines for elected officials.
“Stop being the only city in the metro that doesn’t have one,” said Paul Wilson, urging the council to adopt comprehensive standards to prevent future incidents.
Montoya’s resignation illustrates the growing influence of social media on local politics.
Analysts note that comments made online by public officials can rapidly gain national attention, especially when amplified by high-profile accounts.
Experts warn that aggressive or threatening rhetoric, even if intended as political argument, can escalate tensions and put individuals at risk.
The episode also highlights broader societal concerns about online discourse and responsible communication.
Social media has created new avenues for public scrutiny and accountability but has also intensified conflicts and polarized communities.
While Montoya’s resignation resolves the immediate controversy, questions remain regarding standards for elected officials and how communities address inappropriate online behavior.
City council and local leaders will now consider whether to implement formal ethical guidelines while balancing accountability with constitutional protections for speech.
