Norman councilwoman Bree Montoya resigns after resurfaced online remarks urging a Trump supporter to kill herself

Norman, Okla. — Bree Montoya, a liberal member of the Norman City Council representing Ward 3, resigned Sept. 23 after online posts resurfaced in which she told a supporter of President Donald Trump to 'open a vein' and 'put a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger.' The remarks, posted in June during a dispute over local No Kings protests, drew swift condemnation and raised questions about civility in local government.

The exchange occurred in a Facebook thread with Audra Abbott, who told KOKH she was stunned an elected official would speak that way online. The No Kings demonstrations occurred nationwide, largely coinciding with the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C.

Libs of TikTok, a conservative social media account, resurfaced the comments last week. Four days later, Montoya resigned during a Norman City Council meeting, saying, “In various capacities, I have served this community since 2008, and I am ready to pursue other interests. Effective immediately, I am resigning as council member for Ward 3.” She also posted a written apology on the council’s Facebook page, calling the remarks “awful, inappropriate and unacceptable” and saying she was “completely out of line.”

Abbott told KOKH she was shocked to see an elected official speak that way online and said the remarks appeared inconsistent with the standards she expects from public servants. She added that the controversy gained traction only after Libs of TikTok highlighted the exchange.

Chaya Raichik, the founder of Libs of TikTok, celebrated Montoya’s resignation and publicly claimed credit for the ouster of the council member.

In a separate controversy, Norman council member Helen Grant, who represents Ward 4, faced backlash for a social media comment about Charlie Kirk, criticizing him as a “grifting narcissist” and a “grotesque cheerleader” for the MAGA movement. The notes accompanying the report allege that Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, a claim that Daily Mail reporters sought comment on from Grant.

Against this backdrop, residents at the Sept. 23 council meeting pressed for formal conduct standards for councilors and criticized Mayor Stephen Holman for not addressing Montoya’s comments sooner. Layne Brown, a local resident, told the meeting that the delay in response reflected poorly on leadership and underscored the need for a clear ethics policy.

Montoya’s resignation closes a chapter in Norman’s ongoing debate over social media conduct by elected officials. City officials say the case has intensified discussions about accountability, moderation, and the boundaries between private posts and public service. While the council did not immediately implement new policies, the incident prompted calls from residents for a formal code of conduct that would govern online behavior and interactions with constituents, along with a clearer process for addressing incidents when they arise.

The Norman city government has not announced any immediate changes to its charter or ethics guidelines, but council members indicated they would review current policies and consider adopting or updating a code of conduct in response to the public discussions that followed Montoya’s resignation.

As Norman moves forward, observers say elected officials will be forced to reckon with the balance between free expression and public responsibility, particularly in an era when social media activity can rapidly become political flashpoints that influence local governance. Officials emphasized that while disagreements over policy are expected, rhetoric that degrades or threatens individuals — regardless of political affiliation — undermines public trust and can have real-world consequences for communities.