Pelosi: Katie Hill’s resignation was her own decision

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) indicated Thursday that Rep. Katie Hill was not forced to resign earlier this week following allegations she had improper relationships with congressional and campaign staffers.

“Katie Hill’s decision to resign is her decision to resign,” Pelosi said, adding that she is “sad” that the 32-year-old congresswoman is stepping down.

{mosads}“She’s an absolutely outstanding young public servant, very smart, strategic, patriotic, loves our country, respected by her colleagues in the Congress for the work that she does here,” Pelosi added. “She made her decision and her timing.”

A spokesperson for Hill did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pelosi’s remarks.

Hill said on Sunday she would resign. The announcement came after the House launched an ethics probe over the allegations against her. She is expected to leave Congress on Friday.

Hill has admitted to and apologized for a relationship with a woman on her campaign staff, but denied allegations that she had a relationship with a member of her legislative staff, which would be in violation of House rules.

Along with the allegations, news outlets including the conservative website RedState and The Daily Mail published nude photos of Hill.

Pelosi on Thursday cautioned that others “too may be subjected to that … harassment and abuse.”

“I do say to my own children, grandchildren — especially grandchildren — you know some of these, I don’t know what you would call them, appearances on, is it social media, can come back to haunt you if they are taken out of context,” Pelosi said. 

She said it is “shameful” that Hill has been exposed to this “humiliation by cyber exploitation.”

Hill has said she plans to fight “revenge porn” when she leaves Congress.

“As I have before, I will stand up for those who can not stand up for themselves because there is one thing that I know for sure: I will not allow my experience to scare off other young women or girls from running for office,” she said.

Hill flipped a GOP-held seat in 2018. A handful of Republicans had already launched campaigns ahead of Hill’s resignation.

California state Assemblywoman Christy Smith, a Democrat, announced her bid for Hill’s seat on Monday. In her announcement, Smith commended Hill for her service and her “willingness to put country first by stepping down from office.”