Texas assistant principal reassigned after writing alt-right kids' book

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A Dallas-area assistant principal has been reassigned after authoring a children's book featuring alt-right messaging and characters.

Eric Hauser, an employee of Denton ISD, was removed from his position Monday after district officials learned of his book, "The Adventures of Pepe and Pede." The book features a cartoon frog named Pepe, virtually identical to the character featured in racist and anti-Semitic memes, and writing with white nationalist overtones, according to multiple media reports.

In statements to The Dallas Morning News and Vice, Hauser has denied any connection between his book and racist messaging.

"I'm using Pepe just as a lighthearted way of expressing maybe some conservative values," Hauser told the Dallas Morning News. "I would say to people, 'Please try to look at this from a positive standpoint,' because that's the standpoint that I've written it from. And then obviously know that I'm not part of the alt-right."

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As Vice noted, Hauser reached out to Milo Yiannopoulos, an alt-right provocateur, to promote his work. The book was also published by Post Hill Press, which has distributed far-right works in the past.

In a statement announcing Hauser's reassignment, Denton ISD officials distanced themselves from Hauser personal work.

"The book is the creative property of Mr. Hauser and is not tied with the district, its curriculum or instructional materials -- yet the attention it has brought him and the book's implied message has been a distraction to his colleagues across Denton ISD," the statement read.

In the statement, Hauser said he "thinks it's best" that he not serve as an assistant principal.

"The students, the community, and the teachers are too important to me to subject them to all the negativity and disapproval resulting from this book," his statement read. "To my colleagues, I offer my deepest apologies if this has affected them or their families in any negative way."

District officials didn't say what role Hauser will take following his reassignment, but he will not serve as a campus administrator or educator.