Legislator mocks trans Biden nominee on Facebook, apologizes

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania legislator shared on Facebook an im mocking appearance of state’s recently departed health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, a trans woman who has been minated to serve in Biden ministration, and n offered a general apology Saturday.

State Rep. Jeff Pyle, a Republican from Armstrong and Indiana counties in western Pennsylvania, said on Facebook that he “h idea" post mocking Levine “would be ... received as poorly as it was" but that “tens of thousands of heated emails assured me it was."

“I owe an apology and I offer it humbly," Pyle said, t specifically apologizing to Levine or or trans people, but later repeating an apology “to all affected."

Levine has t commented. state health department did t immediately respond to an email seeking a reaction to Pyle's initial post or his apology.

Comments on his Facebook p h called for him to resign.

President Joe Biden tapped Levine a day before his inauguration be his assistant secretary of health, leaving her poised to become first openly trans federal official to be confirmed by U.S. Senate.

Pyle, who was first elected in 2004, cited a conversation with Democratic leer in state House “who explained error of my post." He stressed that he did t come up with meme but merely shared it, though he said he should t have done so.

“From this situation I have learned to t poke fun at people different than me and to hold my tongue. Be a bigger man," he wrote.

Pyle wrote he would leave Facebook “soon" but was t resigning and would focus on a Butler Community College project and ecomic revitalization of Pennsylvania amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Im: Associated Press