Vermont State Senator Resigns After Unveiling of Controversial Group Chat
NEW YORK — In a dramatic turn of events, Vermont state senator Sam Douglass has announced his resignation, a decision prompted by his involvement in a group chat filled with hateful messages uncovered by POLITICO.
Douglass, who represented a district near the Canadian border, expressed in a statement, “If my Governor asks me to do something, I will act, because I believe in what he’s trying to do,” referencing Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott’s request for his resignation.
Notably, Douglass was the only elected official in the chat, which included four others working for elected officials, such as New York’s state senate minority leader and the Kansas attorney general. One participant was affiliated with President Donald Trump’s Small Business Administration, raising concerns about the broader political implications of the chat’s content.
“I recognize that this decision may upset some and please others, but in today’s political environment, my family’s safety must come first,” Douglass stated, confirming that his resignation will take effect Monday at noon. He further mentioned, “Since the story broke, I have reached out to many of my Jewish and BIPOC friends and colleagues to ensure they can be open and honest with me. As a young person, I feel a responsibility to set a positive example.”
In a lengthy statement, Douglass also highlighted the hateful messages he has received from constituents since the revelations surfaced, illustrating the divisive atmosphere permeating contemporary politics.
This resignation is part of a larger fallout, with at least six others involved in the chat losing their jobs since POLITICO began its reporting. Douglass previously held the chair position of Vermont’s Young Republicans organization.
Among the offensive comments shared in the chat, Douglass referred to an Indian woman in derogatory terms, while his wife, Brianna Douglass, a national committee member of the Vermont Young Republicans, suggested her husband may have misjudged a situation involving a Jewish individual, stating he expected “the Jew to be honest.”
Initially, Douglass resisted calls for his resignation from significant figures within the state’s Republican party, including Governor Scott and the GOP leadership in both the House and Senate.
Just a day after POLITICO’s first report on the Telegram group, Douglass offered an apology, stating, “I am weighing all my options,” indicating a moment of reflection amidst growing public scrutiny.
A first-time lawmaker, Douglass expressed pride in having successfully passed his initial bill on agriculture and beginning his efforts to reform the state’s welfare system. “I will continue to do what I have always done — help others in my community, maintain active communication, and safeguard those around me,” he affirmed.
Liz Crampton contributed to this report.
