Hill’s situation is complicated.

The California Democrat vehemently denied an improper relationship with a congressional aide, allegations that prompted a House Ethics Committee investigation. But Hill acknowledged an “inappropriate” relationship with a separate campaign staffer. And she faced a barrage of nude photos published on conservative websites — allegedly at the hands of an “abusive husband” — and the threat of hundreds more to come.

Some senior Democrats, who came of age long before the proliferation of cellphone cameras, have privately suggested that Hill should have been more careful. Others have refused to comment on the issue, with some visibly uncomfortable when asked about Hill’s private life.

"It goes to show you, we should say to young candidates, and to kids in kindergarten really, be careful when transmitting photos." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Democratic leaders have not directly addressed the circumstances of Hill’s resignation or the smear campaign against her to the full caucus since Hill made her resignation announcement. Her departure did come up at a weekly gathering of senior Democrats, which Hill used to attend as the freshman leadership representative.

In the closed-door leadership meeting Monday night, Speaker Nancy Pelosi reflected on what happened as she told senior Democrats that it was Hill’s decision to resign.

“Our darling Katie. It's so sad,” Pelosi said, according to two Democratic sources with knowledge of the meeting. “It goes to show you, we should say to young candidates, and to kids in kindergarten really, be careful when transmitting photos.”

Several other older Democrats, most of whom refused to be quoted, suggested the same advice when asked by POLITICO.

But it’s a starkly different response from many of Hill’s younger colleagues, who are rallying to the defense of one of Congress’ first openly bisexual women as she deals with a vengeful husband who appears to have found a megaphone on conservative blogs.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of the few lawmakers publicly declaring support for the embattled freshman, said it stems from the “baby boomer era of judgment” looming over Capitol Hill.

“Frankly, I think it’s a generational issue,” Gaetz said in an interview. “A lot of these baby boomers I serve with don’t understand that millennials, by virtue of having smartphones, have shared stupid moments and regrettable moments for a substantial portion of their lives.”

“We cannot adopt an ethic that some bad thing or embarrassing thing that you’ve done, released through the inflamed passions of an ex, somehow impairs your public service or fitness as a candidate,” said Gaetz, a conservative bomb-thrower who rarely aligns with Democrats.

Hill, who has so far missed votes this week, will give her final floor speech Thursday after the House votes to affirm its impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. Hill's resignation will take effect Nov. 1, her office announced Wednesday night.

Rank-and-file Democrats have universally mourned the loss of the fast-rising freshman, who was not shy about her aspirations to climb higher in leadership and initially vowed to remain in Congress and cooperate with the Ethics Committee investigation.

But the details of the scandal — leaked text messages about being in a “throuple” and intimate photos where Hill also appeared to hold a bong — were taboo in a body where the average age of lawmakers is 57.6 years and the caucus’ top three leaders are all near 80 years old.

The lack of public support for Hill has frustrated some of her younger colleagues, who argue that other lawmakers have been too quick to cast judgment because of the existence of the private photos and other details of her life, like being in a relationship with a man and a woman simultaneously. Some believe Hill should not have resigned at all.