Norman City Councilmember Bree Montoya resigned after a viral Facebook comment criticizing a Trump supporter drew national attention. The post, which reportedly urged harm, was shared widely by Libs of TikTok, prompting Montoya to step down immediately. Critics have pointed out that the city council delayed action on the matter until the controversy gained online traction.
In a statement, the city emphasized that while elected officials may speak for themselves, it does not support actions or behaviors that may encourage harm. Montoya, who first took office in 2023 and was re-elected in February 2025, resigned less than three months after her previous swearing-in. The incident has sparked discussions about free speech, accountability, and the role of social media in political discourse.
The recipient of Montoya’s comments, constituent Audra Abbott, told FOX affiliate KOKH she was shocked when she realized who had written the comments. ‘I saw that she was a city council member within moments of her posting it, and I was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe that an elected official would talk like that online,’ she said. ‘If it hadn’t gone viral with Libs of TikTok picking it up, I don’t think that anything would have happened at all.’
Chaya Raichik, who runs Libs of TikTok, told Fox News Digital, ‘With a rising trend of violent left-wing extremists targeting conservatives, it is our duty to hold elected officials, such as Oklahoma City Councilor Bree Montoya, accountable for violent rhetoric, regardless of their status or position.’ The organization has also criticized the mainstream media for not acknowledging the rise of far-left violence.
Norman Chief Communications Officer Tiffany Martinez Vrska said in an email to Fox News Digital, ‘The City of Norman, as a municipal corporation, does not support actions or behaviors that may encourage harm; carrying out municipal functions that provide or support public service remains the focus of the corporation.’ She added that elected officials speak only for themselves when making personal remarks.
The online clash dates back to June, when Montoya and Abbott argued on Facebook about the size of a ‘No Kings’ protest. Montoya called Abbott ‘uneducated’ and escalated by telling her to harm herself. Screenshots of the exchange spread in local Facebook groups during the summer before Libs of TikTok recently amplified them on social media. Abbott and others say Norman officials ignored the controversy until the post gained traction online.
At the Sept. 23 meeting, Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman addressed the incident. He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to upholding the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. He also emphasized the need for an environment that is respectful, orderly, and conducive to productive discussion.