Maine Teacher Under Investigation After Controversial Comments

An English teacher from Waterville High School in Maine has sparked controversy after a series of inflammatory posts on Facebook, where she appeared to advocate for violence against President Donald Trump and his supporters. Joanna St. Gelman called for the involvement of secret services, suggesting they should apprehend those who support the president’s actions.

In her public posts this week, she notably stated, “Trump and his companions need to die,” and expressed a disturbing fantasy about the Secret Service targeting Trump supporters. As of now, her Facebook page is inaccessible.

According to reports, her comments caught the attention of federal authorities. In one message, she encouraged the Secret Service to take action against supporters of what she termed Trump’s “illegal, immoral, unconstitutional behavior.” Despite the backlash, St. Gelman later insisted that she did not intend to call for Trump’s assassination, but instead meant that she would “die on that hill” regarding her opinions.

The immediate reaction to her posts was one of anger. Rather than apologize, she defiantly responded to critics, stating, “I’m embarrassed about what I said. I’m not backtracking one thing.” She acknowledged the potential consequences she might face, indicating that she was aware of the risk to her job.

Waterville Public Schools Principal Peter Hallen issued a statement emphasizing that steps have been taken to ensure safety and that the situation is under investigation with law enforcement. He noted, “I cannot comment on personal issues, but I can assure you that the legitimate process and safety of our students and staff is my number one priority,” according to reports.

St. Gelman defended her statements, questioning if critics were upset about her speaking “truth to power.” She later reposted the principal’s full statement on her page, showing no sign of regret as the school district and authorities continue to look into the matter.

So far, no formal disciplinary action has been announced, and the district is remaining tight-lipped about any potential next steps.