Republican Aide In Obama Daughters Rant Quits

A Republican staffer who criticised US President Barack Obama's teenage daughters has resigned amid mounting pressure.

Elizabeth Lauten, the communications director for Republican Congressman Stephen Fincher, slammed the girls' demeanour and attire during an appearance last week.

The comments caused a storm on social media in defence of Sasha, 13, and Malia, 16, and calls grew for Ms Lauten to step down.

Mr Fincher's chief of staff, Jessica Carter, told the AP news agency on Monday that Ms Lauten resigned. She declined to comment further.

The two teenagers appeared last Wednesday at Mr Obama's annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning event.

They looked bored at times, some commentators noted, but to Ms Lauten they showed a lack of respect and were dressed for a bar.

"Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you're both in those awful teen years, but you're part of the First Family, try showing a little class," Ms Lauten wrote in a since-deleted post that was widely shared on Twitter.

"At least respect the part you play," she went on.

At another point she wrote: "Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar."

Ms Lauten tried to make amends, but her apology has not been well received either, with The Washington Post calling it "half-hearted".

Before stepping down she returned to Facebook to write: "After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were."

She added she "had judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager".

A petition on change.org that called for Elizabeth Lauten's dismissal garnered more than 4,300 signatures, and a "FIRE Elizabeth Lauten" Facebook page obtained more than 2,300 likes.

The President and First Lady have not commented on Ms Lauten's remarks.

On Monday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he was surprised a congressional staffer would use a Thanksgiving-themed event to criticise the first family.

He said individuals who frequently speak publicly tend to be mindful of how their words are perceived.