On Monday, July 15th, Tyler Barbieri, an analyst in New York City’s Office of Management and Budget, was suspended for two weeks without pay after posting a controversial comment on social media following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Barbieri, earning $112,604 annually, posted “too bad he missed” on Instagram, sparking outrage and calls for his termination.
The incident occurred after Trump was shot in the right ear during a speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13th. Despite the swift deletion of his post and removal of his LinkedIn profile, Barbieri’s actions drew significant backlash. The “End Wokeness” Twitter account condemned the post, labeling it “absolutely sickening,” while others demanded immediate dismissal for promoting political violence.
Mayor Eric Adams’ office took swift disciplinary action against Barbieri, emphasizing the city’s stance against condoning gun violence. A spokesperson reiterated that the employee’s views did not reflect the city’s values, and Barbieri has since apologized for his post. Critics, however, argue that the suspension was insufficient, with Staten Island Republican Party chairman Michael Tannousis asserting that Barbieri should be fired for his lack of judgment during a national crisis.
This incident follows a similar pattern of consequences for inappropriate comments about the Trump shooting. An employee of a Mississippi congressman was fired after suggesting on Facebook that the gunman should receive “shooting lessons,” and another city worker, Christopher Baugh, was previously terminated for criticizing Mayor Adams’ policies on social media.
In a press conference with faith leaders, including Reverend Al Sharpton, Mayor Adams denounced the assassination attempt and all forms of political violence. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was identified as a 20-year-old from Bethel Park who fired eight rounds from a rooftop, killing a volunteer firefighter and wounding two others before being shot by Secret Service snipers.
As the city continues to grapple with the fallout from this event, the response to Barbieri’s post underscores the broader societal demand for accountability and the rejection of hate speech and political violence.
