Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has made it clear that she wasn’t fired by Trump—because she had already resigned.
Trump, who returned to the White House for his second term this week, announced on his Truth Social platform that he fired more than 1,000 Biden appointees, including Bottoms, in a post-midnight post on Tuesday.
Trump, referencing his signature line from The Apprentice, declared, “YOU’RE FIRED,” while claiming he and his Presidential Personnel Office were removing officials from the previous administration who, as he stated, “are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again.”
However, Bottoms, who served as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and later as a member of the President’s Export Council under President Joe Biden, had already tendered her resignation before Trump’s announcement.
“A day late and a dollar short,” Bottoms wrote in response to Trump’s post. “My resignation from the President’s Export Council was submitted January 4, effective yesterday.” She continued, “You can’t fire someone who has already resigned. Of all the things happening in the world, not sure why I am on Donald Trump’s mind at 1:30 am, following his inauguration, but I count it as a badge of honor.”
The former Atlanta mayor, who served from 2018 to 2021, joined the Biden administration in 2022 and was known for her impactful work in public engagement and her fiery commentary on social issues. She extended her tenure in the White House role several times before stepping down in March 2022. In 2023, she returned to Washington, D.C., as a member of the President’s Export Council, which advises on international trade matters.
This isn’t the first time Bottoms has clashed with Trump. During her time as mayor, she often criticized his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other major crises. She recently reflected on those tensions in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, recalling moments of frustration with what she called a “lack of predictability” from the Trump White House.
“I give the example, in the midst of the pandemic, the remarks that the President made—whether it was inject yourself with bleach or really encouraging people not to trust the science on COVID,” Bottoms said.
Known for speaking her mind, Bottoms made headlines during her mayoral term for her outspoken critiques of Trump and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, especially during the nationwide protests after the killing of George Floyd.
Despite Trump’s latest comments, Bottoms seems unfazed, standing firm on her accomplishments and her decision to step away from her White House duties. It’s clear that even in resignation, Bottoms is not backing down from holding her ground in the face of criticism.
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