The political landscape of Vermont has been shaken by the resignation of State Senator Samuel A. Douglass. His departure comes after a private group chat, involving several prominent Young Republicans, was exposed, revealing a disturbing exchange of racist and antisemitic remarks. The revelation led to widespread condemnation and intense pressure from leading Republican figures, including Governor Phil Scott, who strongly urged Douglass to relinquish his position.
Douglass, a first-term senator representing Vermont’s Orleans district, initially resisted calls to resign but ultimately conceded, citing growing concerns for his family’s safety amidst the intense public scrutiny. “I know that this decision will upset many, and delight others, but in this political climate I must keep my family safe,” Douglass stated.
Offensive Remarks Exposed in Group Chat
The leaked Telegram group chat reportedly included members of Young Republican organizations from multiple states, such as Vermont, New York, Arizona, and Kansas. Douglass was the sole elected official involved. The messages contained highly offensive content, including praise for Adolf Hitler, crude jokes about gas chambers and rape, and explicit racist and antisemitic language.
In one particularly egregious exchange, Douglass reportedly made a derogatory comment about an Indian woman, stating she “just didn’t bathe often.” In another instance, his wife, Brianna Douglass—who also served as a national committee member for the Vermont Young Republicans—responded to a message from her husband with, “expecting the Jew to be honest,” in reference to a procedural matter concerning a Jewish colleague. These shocking messages were part of the extensive leak.
Republican Leaders Demanded Douglass’s Resignation
Vermont Governor Phil Scott and the state’s Republican leadership were swift to call for Douglass’s resignation. Governor Scott condemned the senator’s actions, stating, “His vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing.” Scott further suggested that Douglass should completely disassociate himself from the Republican Party.
Initially, the Vermont Republican Party chair, Paul Dame, announced Douglass’s removal from his party duties. However, the executive committee quickly intervened, overriding this decision and issuing a direct demand for his immediate resignation.
Political History and Public Service
Samuel Adam Douglass was elected to the Vermont Senate in 2024, succeeding the long-serving Senator Robert A. Starr. Before his successful 2024 bid, he ran unsuccessfully in 2022. An alumnus of Vermont State University’s Johnson campus, Douglass’s professional background included farming, real estate, and crisis intervention. During his time in the Senate, he contributed to various committees, including Health and Welfare, Institutions, and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Panel.
Following the emergence of the story, Douglass claimed to have reached out to many of his Jewish and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) friends and colleagues, expressing a desire to learn and improve. He added, “As a young person, I have a duty to set a good example for others.”
Widespread Fallout for Young Republicans Network
The public disclosure of the chat has had far-reaching consequences across the Young Republican network. At least six other individuals involved in the conversation have since lost their jobs or been removed from their political positions, including staff members associated with elected officials in New York and Kansas. The New York State Young Republicans group was officially disbanded, and the Kansas chapter also dissolved earlier in the week.
Senator Douglass’s resignation became effective on Monday at noon, marking a significant moment in the ongoing national conversation about political ethics and accountability.