A political storm brewed over the Thanksgiving holiday after a Republican staff criticized the behavior of Malia and Sasha at the traditional Turkey Pardoning Ceremony in the White House. Elizabeth Lauten, communications director of Rep. Stephen Lee, described the teen presidential daughters as disrespectful and classless.

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"Try showing a little class," Lauten wrote in her Facebook post that became viral. She admonished the two girls to "Rise to the occasion. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at the bar ... And certainly don't make faces during televised public events."

Her post was retweeted and shared in various social media sites. She eventually apologized for what she wrote.

Even U.S. President Barack Obama has found the tradition of pardoning turkeys for Thanksgiving useless as he was quoted saying he found it "puzzling that I do this every year."

When he asked Malia to pet one of the two turkeys, named Mac and Cheese, the presidential daughter said "Nah," reports Huffington Post.

The Gawker website described Malia and Sasha's attitude as "Teen Contempt."

Lauten, in her subsequent apology, admitted she judged the two presidential teens too quickly in a way that she would not have wanted herself to be judged when she was their age.

After she spent hours praying, talking to her parents and going over her controversial posts, the GOP staff admitted her words were hurtful and promised to learn and grow from her experience.

Because of the harsh comments, the hashtag #ElizabethLauten trended on Twitter where members shared their reaction.

Luke noted that Lauten attacked the Obama girls "4 being typical teenagers" even as he asked, "any 1 remember the Bush twins?"

DannnnnnnnyBoy called Lauten a GOP pig, while Felicia Barbera tweeted that it should be Lauten who should be ashamed of her action.

Miss Gulch, apparently in defense of Malia and Sasha, asked, "Do bored teenage girls get a pardon too?"

TagsThanksgiving, Malia Obama, sasha obama, turkey pardon, Elizabeth Lauten