WASHINGTON: T.J. Ducklo resigned from the role of White House deputy press secretary on Saturday, one day after he was suspended for a week for reportedly threatening Politico reporter Tara Palmeri.
Ducklo tweeted on Saturday evening that he decided to resign after a conversation with White House communications leadership and would not return from administrative leave.
My statement on resigning from the White House. pic.twitter.com/3Jpiiv75vB
— TJ Ducklo (@TDucklo) February 14, 2021
Ducklo was suspended on Friday, the same day Vanity Fair reported that he threatened Palmeri and made misogynistic comments to her as she was reporting on his relationship with Axios reporter Alexi McCammond. People published a feature this month on the relationship between McCammond, who was reassigned to another beat, and Ducklo.
Vanity Fair’s revelation of the incident prompted outrage from journalists, some of whom have cited President Joe Biden’s inauguration day promise to fire any White House staffers who do not treat others with respect.