Sen. Maggie Hassan Margaret (Maggie) HassanDemocrats step up hardball tactics as Supreme Court fight heats up Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery Senate Democrats demand answers on migrant child trafficking during pandemic MORE (D-N.H.) on Tuesday defended the one-week suspension of an intern who shouted an expletive at President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE, saying the employee has been “held accountable.”

Hassan told Sean Sullivan of The Washington Post that the intern “took full responsibility” for her actions, and turned the blame around on Trump for failing to do the same.

“This behavior shouldn’t be equated with the president’s destructive and divisive actions,” Hassan said, pointing to the Trump administration’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and practice of separating migrant families at the southern border.

“And this young woman immediately accepted responsibility for her actions and is facing consequences for them. The president is doing neither,” Hassan told The Post.

I spoke to Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) about her decision to suspend the intern who shouted 'F--- you!' to President Trump. She said the intern accepted responsibility for her actions, something she said Trump has not done with his actions on health-care, etc. Her full comments: pic.twitter.com/NefhdgqCxI — Sean Sullivan (@WaPoSean) June 26, 2018

Hassan's office said late Monday that the intern was suspended for a week for shouting "f--- you" at Trump while he visited the Capitol last week. The young woman will also have restricted access to the Capitol moving forward.

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Hassan's office did not respond to a request to identify the intern, but multiple media reports indicate her name is Caitlin Marriott.





The intern's suspension comes amid a fresh debate over civility in politics following backlash to the Trump administration's practice of separating migrant families at the border.

Protesters confronted two Trump administration officials last week in separate instances while they dined at Mexican restaurants. A Virginia restaurant owner refused to serve White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders over the weekend.

Rep. Maxine Waters Maxine Moore WatersPowell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs Pelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief Omar invokes father's death from coronavirus in reaction to Woodward book MORE (D-Calif.) escalated tensions when she encouraged supporters to confront Trump administration officials in public places. She has defended her comments, saying she supports peaceful protest and that the president has made more explicit threats in the past.