Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has called for the resignation of a group of county officials who were alleged to have been caught on tape discussing lynching Black people and killing journalists. Bruce Willingham, the publisher of the Gazette, captured the audio after leaving his recording device inside a McCurtain County commissioners' meeting in an attempt to prove the officials were conducting county business in violation of the state's Open Meeting Act.
On Monday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the office of sheriff Kevin Clardy to demand his resignation. The remarks prompted Oklahoma's governor to issue a statement Sunday night calling for their resignation.
In excerpts from the recording obtained by Willingham, voices that allegedly belong to Sheriff Mark Jennings and other officials can be heard lamenting racial progress and criticizing journalism practices.
The voice identified as Sheriff Jennings would go on to boast about knowing "two or three hit men" over in Louisiana who would show "no mercy" if tasked with eliminating reporters.
Governor Stitt expressed his outrage at these revelations during a press conference: "These comments are deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. I am appalled that any elected official would engage in such hateful rhetoric."
State Rep. Regina Goodwin also weighed in on this controversy: “This type of behavior is not only abhorrent but dangerous given our current climate.”
Bruce Willingham shared how he came across these shocking statements when attempting to uncover potential violations related to public meetings:
Following this incident, Governor Stitt announced that he has ordered an investigation led by The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) into whether any illegal conduct occurred among these McCurtain County officials.
The governor's call for resignation has been met with support from many in the community who are demanding an end to such hateful rhetoric among public servants.
It remains unclear at this time whether any of these officials will step down or face legal consequences related to their statements on the recording.