Commissioner Jennings Resigns After Being Caught on Tape Discussing Killing Reporters and Lynching Black People

A county commissioner in far southeast Oklahoma has resigned from office after being caught on tape discussing killing reporters and lynching Black people, Governor Kevin Stitt’s office confirmed Wednesday.

The commissioner, identified as James Jennings, was one of a handful of local officials, including McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office officials, who were recorded making the threatening comments during a March 6 meeting. The comments were reported by the McCurtain Gazette-News earlier this week in their weekend edition.

In response to the report, Jennings has resigned from office and plans to release a formal statement “in the near future regarding the recent events in our county,” according to Governor Stitt’s office.

The comments made by Jennings and the other officials have been widely condemned by local and state officials. Governor Stitt released a statement saying that he was “appalled and disgusted by the comments made by the individuals in the recording,” and that he was “glad to see that Commissioner Jennings has taken responsibility for his actions and resigned from office.”

The McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office has also released a statement condemning the comments and saying that they do not reflect the values of the office. They have also launched an internal investigation into the incident.

The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, with many calling for further action to be taken against the officials involved. It remains to be seen what further action, if any, will be taken in response to the incident.