A former employee of U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, is under investigation by federal agents after making social media posts that appeared to encourage the shooter of former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally on Saturday.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten told The Natchez Democrat newspaper that he received a call from United States Secret Service agents on Sunday morning seeking assistance in locating Jacqueline Marsaw, who had resigned from her position as an aide to Thompson shortly after inflammatory posts on her personal Facebook page following the Trump shooting, started to receive national attention.

“That’s what your hate speech got you!!” and “I don’t condone violence but please get you some shooting lessons so you don’t miss next time ooops that wasn’t me talking.” These posts have since been deleted, but not before critics shared screenshots widely.

Marsaw, previously a case worker and field office manager at Thompson’s Natchez office, said she posted in the heat of the moment and did not intend for her comments to be taken seriously.

Thompson, representing Mississippi’s Second District and former chairman of the House Jan. 6 Select Committee, condemned the act of violence in a statement on X, emphasizing there is no room for political violence in American democracy.

Sheriff Patten reported that Marsaw fully cooperated with the federal agents during their investigation and expressed remorse for her actions. He stated that Marsaw’s posts included a “veiled threat” against the former president, potentially violating U.S. Code 879, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

The case will be referred to the Attorney General in Washington, D.C. to determine if charges will be pursued. Sheriff Patten emphasized the seriousness with which threats against public officials are taken and advised against making reckless statements online.

The incident highlights the heightened political tensions in the country, with Sheriff Patten calling for a return to civility and urging people to channel their frustrations through voting rather than violence.

Trump sustained minor injuries in the attack, while a rally attendee was killed and two others critically wounded. The suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by return fire, and the FBI is investigating the incident as an assassination attempt.